Hunter Brzustewicz

Last updated

Hunter Brzustewicz
Born (2004-11-29) November 29, 2004 (age 20)
Washington, Michigan, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Calgary Flames
Calgary Wranglers  (AHL)
NHL draft 75th overall, 2023
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 2024present

Hunter Brzustewicz (born November 29, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). [1] He was selected in the third round by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. [2]

Contents

Playing career

As a 15-year-old, Brzustewicz achieved 111 points in 66 games for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, capturing the record for most points by a defenceman in that league. [3] Brzustewicz saw his ice time limited playing two seasons for the US National Team Development Program. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Barrie Colts in 2020 but was traded to the Kitchener Rangers in exchange for Declan McDonnell. [4] Brzustewicz committed to play for the University of Michigan at the age of 13, but de-committed when the Rangers showed interest. [5] In the first month of the 2023 OHL season, Brzustewicz lead the league with 16 points in 7 games, which saw him playing on the Rangers’ top pairing and running the first unit power play. [6] His 46 points in 28 games and plus-20 differential had some speculating he was a "draft steal", comparing his season to that of Ryan Ellis and Brandt Clarke. [7] [8] Brzustewicz became the first OHL defenceman to lead the league in scoring at the halfway point of a season since Bryan Fogarty in 1988. [9]

On January 31, 2024, Brzustewicz was traded to the Calgary Flames, along with Andrei Kuzmenko, the Canucks’ 1st round pick in 2024, a conditional fourth round pick and Joni Jurmo in exchange for Elias Lindholm. [10] He was later signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Flames on March 14, 2024. [11]

Personal life

Brzustewicz has two older sisters, Hannah and Hailey, and a younger brother, Henry. Henry is an ice hockey player for the London Knights and was drafted by 31st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2025 NHL entry draft. [12] [13]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2021–22 U.S. National Development Team USHL 250990
2022–23 Kitchener Rangers OHL 68651571290440
2023–24 Kitchener RangersOHL67137992241018912
2024–25 Calgary Wranglers AHL 70527321410000
2024–25 Calgary Flames NHL 10002
NHL totals10002

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2021 United States HG18 5th40330
2022 United States U18 Silver medal icon.svg50222
Junior totals90552

Awards and honors

AwardYear
OHL
Second All-Star Team 2024

References

  1. Raptis, Mike. "Canucks prospects: Everyone but Willander playing for keeps now". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  2. Wheeler, Scott. "Canucks prospect Hunter Brzustewicz, once viewed as a 'special' talent, is back". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  3. Wagner, Daniel (October 19, 2023). "Canucks prospect Hunter Brzustewicz leads the OHL in scoring". Vancouver Is Awesome. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  4. Brown, Josh (October 31, 2023). "Leader of the pack: Kitchener Rangers d-man Hunter Brzustewicz in rare territory atop OHL scoring race". The Record. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  5. Raptis, Mike. "Canucks prospects: Willander working out well at BU; Brzustewicz goes brrr". The Province. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  6. Raptis, Mike. "Canucks prospects: Brzustewicz plays provider, Kudryavtsev on the mark". National Post. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  7. Raptis, Mike. "Canucks prospects: Brzustewicz shoots for the stars, Willander comes up aces". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  8. Welsford, Kyle (December 2023). "Hunter Brzustewicz: The Canucks' Rising Defensive Dynamo". The Canuck Way. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  9. Fullerton, Owen. "Canucks prospect making history: Confirmed steal for the team's scouts". Canucks Daily. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  10. Johnston, Patrick. "Canucks pick up Elias Lindholm in trade from Calgary Flames". The Province. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  11. "Flames sign Hunter Brzustewicz". Calgary Flames. March 14, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  12. "SPOTLIGHT: Hunter Brzustewicz". November 16, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  13. Gilbertson, Wes (June 25, 2025). "'He's been the rock': How Flames prospect Hunter Brzustewicz helped prepare his younger brother for 2025 NHL Draft". Calgary Herald . Retrieved June 28, 2025.