Jake DeBrusk had a successful first season with the Vancouver Canucks. He played 82 games for the first time in his career, while leading the team with 28 goals. DeBrusk also scored 14 times on the power play, which ranked tied for 19th for a single season in franchise history.
Recently, DeBrusk appeared on the podcast "100% Canucks with Ferraro & Shannon". During the interview, the 28-year-old spoke on a number of topics relating to his playing career and first year with the organization. One of the team-related questions DeBrusk was asked focused on next season and what Vancouver can do to bounce back after a disappointing year.
"I think wins help, said DeBrusk. 'I think getting wins early helps. Take's some of those questions out of the way. But I think with just everything that happened last year, I think the biggest thing for our team is figure out what our identity wants to be as a team and then stick with that through the highs and the lows of the season. Obviously, from our goaltending, from our defensemen, through. I think we can all look at our roster and, everyone likes to look what's on paper for certain teams and every single year, there are teams that people talk about how they have no chance. I've been on a couple of them, which sound funny. Coming from Boston, the teams I was on where they didn't think we were going to make the playoffs. Everyone thought we were gonna be worse when we lost (Patrice) Bergeron and (David) Krejčí. Obviously, different scenario, but no one gave us a chance, and it doesn't seem like everyone, you know, I feel like the opinion is something we can use to our advantage inside the room in terms of looking forward to this season can be. It's kind of what we make it. I think the biggest thing is getting closer as a team. Me coming in my second year. Obviously, a lot has happened in the first year, and it's done with. Everyone starts off as zeros and a couple wins would help and probably some overtime wins. I think that really killed us last year."
Vancouver Canucks 2024-25 Report Card: Jake DeBrusk
Welcome to this edition of THN's Vancouver Canucks 2024-25 Report Card. This recurring 2025 off-season series features a deep dive into how each Canucks player performed last year. Today's article will focus on winger Jake DeBrusk, who finished the season with 48 points in 82 games.
DeBrusk was later asked about playing with Quinn Hughes, who finished third in Norris voting this season. The Canucks captain recorded an assist on 16 of DeBrusk's 28 goals, which included 10 on the power play. In his answer, DeBrusk explained what it is like playing with one of the top defenders in the league and how he tries to get Hughes the puck whenever possible.
"I feel like it's hard not to. That's usually the right play, to give him the puck and then try to get somewhere to get open. I think that's something I learned in Boston myself, playing with Bergy (Patrice Bergeron) and Marchy (Brand Marchand) for a year and a half, two years. You can't defer to those guys always, or they will get mad at you. They won't like it if you are missing a pass on a two-on-one if you don't make the right hockey play. Not necessarily mad, but it's one of those things where you see these young guys coming into camp and all they do is pass the puck, and I don't even blame them. Everyone does it when you first come in the league, just because you have so much respect for the players. You also have to realize that it's your turn too sometimes, and that's how the line works better. In terms of defensemen, I've never had a defenceman take over games like him. You hear all these things, you see him, you play against him. Seeing him through my first full season now, there were a couple times that I will admit that he called for the puck when I was with him on the ice and I just no look gave or dropped it and tried to make a play, and he wasn't open and after, I was like, Quinn, you can't be talking to me like that. I'll give it to you if you are open, but you can't be saying my name on my back, and then we give it away. I look like I just made a terrible play. Tell me when you're open and I'll give it to you whenever you want. That's kind of the funny side. I think I did a drop pass on a two-on-one because he was the defenceman. You get to learn the guys, and there is communication there, but he is a dominant player. The way that we play is around him, and it should be."
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DeBrusk was also asked about playing with center Elias Pettersson for the majority of the season. Despite playing over 680 minutes together only 10 times did either Pettersson or DeBrusk score with the other recording an assist on the play. While there has been plenty of criticism surrounding Pettersson's performance from last season, DeBrusk is a strong believer that his teammate will have a strong campaign in 2025-26.
"When I first came in, I tried to be his best friend and tried to get as close as I could to him, which I probably failed at because he probably got annoyed with me at the end of the year. I think I made a top-15 friends list, and he kept asking me to put him lower on it. I don't know if I failed at that part already, but he can't get rid of me yet, so that's good. I think, Petey, I agree, I think that was one of the things I was most excited about coming to Van. In coming to Vancouver, there was a guy like Quinn, there was a guy like Petey. You look at that, and as a forward, as a left-winger, I look at opportunity, and I don't think I necessarily did a good enough job for him last year. I think that it always going to get personalized with the stats and what's everyone's points like but I don't think when I was playing with him, I gave him my best game either in fairness. I think it took some time, but I think Petey is going to have a good off-season. He is going to come back and good shape. The skills there. The skill, his hands, his vision. I don't think you can teach some of those things. I think you can teach some of the other things. I have a lot of faith in him. I signed a seven-year deal to play with him, so I believe in him more than probably most.
If Vancouver is going to bounce back next year, they will need another big season from DeBrusk. The Canucks will also need him and Pettersson to keep building chemistry, as they will most likely be paired together once again. In the end, it is safe to say that DeBrusk sounds excited for next year and seems determined to bring playoff hockey back to Rogers Arena.
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