Former North Bay Battalion Forward Justin Brazeau is Turning Heads For the Boston Bruins in the NHL Playoffs

Justin Brazeau hasn't had the straightest path to the NHL, but after four seasons in the OHL and five seasons in the minor leagues, Brazeau is getting his opportunity in the playoffs with the Boston Bruins.

6-foot-5 forward Justin Brazeau has had a long path to get to where he is, but at the age of 26, he has officially made his NHL Playoff debut with the Boston Bruins.

Brazeau played junior hockey in the OHL with the North Bay Battalion, where he played his full four major junior eligible seasons. It wasn't really until his third season when he started to dominate in the OHL, and from that point on he was turning heads.

Brazeau was drafted in the 13th round by the North Bay Battalion in the 2014 OHL Draft, and he was never drafted into the NHL. His story is one of pure determination, hard work, and he never gave up.

In his fourth and final season in the OHL, Brazeau wore the 'C' for the Battalion and put up 113 points in 68 games, including 61 goals. He completely dominated in his final season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs organization took note.

Brazeau began his professional hockey career with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL) — the affiliate organizations of the Leafs. In the 2021-2022 season, he signed with the Boston Bruins organization and spent most of his time with their AHL affiliate the Providence Bruins.

It wasn't until this season that Brazeau had his name called up to the NHL with the Boston Bruins. He played 19 games in the 2023-2024 season with the Bruins, totalling 7 points.

Because of his natural abilities around the net, his size, and strength, Brazeau was brought on for the Bruins playoff run as well. There were several injuries and line shufflings throughout their first series against the Toronto Maple Leafs — his former organization — and he made his debut in that series for the black and gold.

Now, the Bruins are having trouble finding reasons to take Brazeau out of the lineup. He scored his first career playoff goal against the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the second round, and played the final three games of the first round series against the Maple Leafs.

Brazeau hasn't had the easiest path to the NHL, but he is another story to inspire players around the world to never give up. Even if you were drafted late or undrafted n the OHL Draft, it doesn't mean that your dreams of playing in the NHL are over. Anything is possible with hard work, and Justin Brazeau is just another example of that.