Former Bruins Winger Jake DeBrusk Signs with the Canucks
Despite an up-and-down 2023-24 regular season with the Boston Bruins, where Jake DeBrusk dealt with a broken hand in late January, DeBrusk managed to step up his performance in the postseason for the Bruins. During the postseason, which saw the Bruins get eliminated by the Florida Panthers in six games, DeBrusk’s production went to an extra level scoring five goals, six assists, 11 points, and three power-play goals. DeBrusk scored 19 goals, 21 assists, 40 points, and two power-play goals in 80 games played last regular season, which was a decline in scoring compared to the two seasons prior. As a highly sought-after winger, DeBrusk's future remained uncertain as he entered free agency, not knowing which team he would join. According to ESPN, the Vancouver Canucks have signed DeBrusk to a seven-year deal, worth $38.5 million.
Prior to entering the NHL, 27-year-old DeBrusk played four seasons in the WHL as an amateur hockey player. DeBrusk was selected 14th overall by the Bruins in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft after scoring 78 goals in the WHL. DeBrusk made an instant impression in his first professional season on the Bruins' roster during the 2017–18 campaign after spending his first year with the team's AHL affiliate. He also scored his first NHL goal in the Bruins season opener. DeBrusk scored 138 goals, 128 assists, 266 points, and 30 power-play goals in his seven seasons with the Bruins. DeBrusk demonstrated his ability to alter games during the Bruins' 2018 playoff run, scoring six goals in his debut postseason campaign with Boston.
DeBrusk showed a talent for scoring big goals throughout his time with the Bruins, frequently pulling through in crunch times in the playoffs. He was a continual danger in the offensive zone because of his quickness, dexterity, and keen sense of the net. DeBrusk was a versatile asset because of his propensity to play a hard game and participate in skirmishes in front of the net and along the boards, which provided an essential dimension to his performance. Heading into 2024–25, DeBrusk and the Canucks will attempt to return to the playoffs and make a deep postseason run.
