Brzustewicz hopes for Flames selection after excellent season in OHL

CALGARY — Hunter Brzustewicz sees a clear path for the Calgary Flames to guard the blue line in the not-too-distant future.

The 19-year-old defenseman, who was acquired by the Flames in the deal that sent center Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, has his sights set on a jump to the pro ranks in Calgary after a standout season with Kitchener in the Ontario Hockey League.

“Hopefully I come here with the mindset to make the team,” Brzustewicz said during the Flames’ development camp in July. “I’m going to play pro hockey next year no matter what. I’m going to do my best.”

Brzustewicz may have been surprised by the midseason trade, but he said the trade made his path to the NHL smoother and he was happy with the change.

“I definitely believe so and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Brzustewicz, who turns 20 on Nov. 29.

“I was watching Netflix and laying in bed when Lindholm got traded. I knew he was going to Vancouver, but I didn’t know I was going to be in it. I was playing Fortnite and my agent called me and said, ‘Hey, keep your eyes peeled,’ and I was like, ‘Am I in?’ and he didn’t know yet and then (Canucks general manager) Patrik Allvin texted me and asked if I could call him.”

His 2023-24 season made him a sought-after prospect that the Flames ultimately turned their attention to.

Brzustewicz was originally selected by Vancouver in the third round (No. 75) of the 2023 NHL Draft and finished second in the OHL in scoring among defencemen with 92 points (13 goals, 79 assists) in 67 games for Kitchener, behind fellow Flames prospect Zayne Parekh’s 96 points (33 goals, 63 assists) for Saginaw.

“If you just look at (Brzustewicz), the little plays, what he does with the puck, the way he sees the ice … those are top-notch subtle plays that people might not know about,” Calgary general manager Craig Conroy said. “He sees the ice so well offensively. He was a guy we wanted. He and Zayne are both in the OHL this year, both 90-point players. That’s very impressive.”

Brzustewicz will therefore leave the OHL ranks.

“Gosh, I can’t think of any reason why he would want to go back to juniors,” said Ray Edwards, Calgary’s director of player development. “It’s obviously a big step, but we’ve got to find a way to make it happen and help him and coach him and develop him so he’s ready for that opportunity.

“He’s coming in new and we’re learning about him. It’s building that relationship and understanding, ‘This is how we do things and how does that work for you?’ I think he’s in a really good place and he’s been with us long enough… he spent time here at the end of the season… so now he comes in this year and he understands what we’re all about.”

Brzustewicz will play in Calgary this fall. The question is whether that will be with the Flames or their American Hockey League affiliate, which also plays in the Scotiabank Saddledome.

“I’d like to see him here with us…” Conroy said. “Where ‘here’ is (is the question), but in Calgary.”