Weekly Player Spotlight: Hunter Brzustewicz

Kitchener Rangers defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz has had a red-hot start to the season. More on what makes his game effective from the blue line, as he leads the league in points heading into this week.

The Vancouver Canucks 2023 3rd round pick has been a force from Kitchener's blue line to start the season. Through ten games, Hunter Brzustewicz has put up a league-leading 20 points, +13 plus/minus rating.

Brzustewicz' puck-moving ability and vision is what makes him such a special player. He is a breakout specialist, and his first passes are calculated and precise. Brzustewicz has the vision and anticipation to make passes that give his team zone entry lanes consistently. He makes a perfect quarterback on the powerplay and consistently feeds his teammates in high danger areas

Analyzing his game last season, it was tough to put a finger on Brzustewicz' projection and ceiling as a defenseman. He's not super offensive, he's not the quickest player, but he's not entirely defensive either. The Michigan-born defender is the most effective in-transition, moving his team up the ice and creating lanes with his deception. This is not a common player-type, but Brzustewicz fits a very specific role that not many teams have the privilege of having in their lineup.

Last season, Brzustewicz' puck-moving ability was at the forefront when depicting his draft stock & projection. Not much offense was coming off of his own stick, and he would give up many open shooting lanes by dishing the puck "too" much. In front of his own net, he was a little more laid back than he should have been, but his rush defence was always effective.

Through his first 20 games this season, Brzustewicz has fine-tuned a lot of these areas. He is beginning to take the shooting opportunities that the opposition is giving him, and he is trusting himself to shoot more in transition.

Brzustewicz has become stronger in-front of his own goal, though his rush defence is what stands out in his defensive game. His ability to eliminate rush opportunities with his stick and precise positioning is outstanding. His rush defence translates into a quick transition game, and then beginning the breakout on offence. 

Hunter Brzustewicz was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 3rd round in the 2023 NHL Draft, behind multiple other OHL defenders. So far this season, he is proving himself more than any other OHL defender in the offensive zone. He not only leads all OHL-defensemen with 20 points, but he leads all players in points. 

The Kitchener Rangers are off to a red-hot start this season, largely due to Brzustewicz' outstanding performance. 

Brzustewicz has the privilege of feeding Carson Rehkopf, Filip Mesar, and Matthew Sop on the first powerplay unit, but a lot of his points are coming at 5-on-5. Kitchener's powerplay is only 23.1% effective — 7th in the league — but the recent addition of Filip Mesar should help that cause. 

Hunter Brzustewicz is Kitchener's leader on the blue line at even strength, and on both specialty teams units. His hot start on the scoresheet will continue along with the Rangers' early success, but exactly how long will that last?