DeBrusk continues with B’s education
Even with a position secure, Jake DeBrusk isn’t slowing down.
DeBrusk is slated to be a top-six winger after breaking out in his rookie season, and amongst a plethora of young skaters at forward, the 21-year-old stands out to make a big leap.
“Just going from last year, you want to always improve,” he said. “Coming in my second year, that’s obviously a goal. I think that it’s possible, it’s better to stay consistent. I think I can score more goals this year, especially with a year with (David Krejci) already under my belt. I think that stats aren’t everything as well. I hope that I score to help my team win.”
DeBrusk had 16 goals and 43 points in 70 games last year, but his true coming out party came in the first round of the playoffs against the Maple Leafs, most notably his Game 7 two-goal performance.
This season is a bit different. There are expectations.
“I think when Jake walked through the door, he used to have his head down, kind of quiet,” said Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy. “Now he’s a different person. He’s more confident. He’s still quiet, but I think his overall game, defensively, I’ve only seen him for a few games, but that part of his game he’s more aware of what’s going on for the whole shift, not just when the puck’s on his stick.”
DeBrusk has been paired with Krejci throughout camp, and while the right wing side might be a question, DeBrusk finds himself in an established role.
“When I have my speed, that’s when I’m playing at my best,” DeBrusk said. “I think the more games I have my speed, the more chances I’ll get.”
As one who went to China, adjusting back to domestic ice and the routine has been challenging for DeBrusk. His comfort level with teammates has made a difference, and his confidence from last year’s training camp to this has seen a dramatic shift.
“It’s night and day,” he said. “I was so stressed out and nervous to make a mistake. I remember the first couple of practices last year, it was every other play I was thinking about it twice.
“Now it’s a matter of, it’s training camp and you’re still trying to prove yourself, but now (you are) comfortable with who you’re around and the drills and being involved in it. It’s been nice on that front, but still competitive.”
With his awareness sharper and skills progressing, DeBrusk is a candidate to score plenty.
While wingers like Anders Bjork, whom Cassidy compared to wanting to see a similar development path to DeBrusk, and Danton Heinen vye for a spot in the top six, DeBrusk already has the confidence of the coaching staff.
“If you’re playing on the second line and want to be playing more minutes, and we’d like him to do that, you need to be responsible like that,” said Cassidy. “I think it’s great maturity level.”
There’s still plenty to learn, and DeBrusk is far from a finished product, which he acknowledged, but with a team full of players of similar ages battling for their chance to make it, it sure feels like a special year may be in store.
“Learning how to play the game last year, and learning what the game’s about, obviously I’m still going to be learning,” said DeBrusk. “But having a year, including playoffs under my belt, playoffs really helped me understand how to pay a price and get to those areas. Now I have the confidence I can finish there.”