Each year, the OHL polls all of their coaches from across the league, asking them to name the best player in each position as well as the best player at certain attributes. While the votes were all over the place, as they usually are, the Flames’ Hunter Brzustewicz picked up numerous honours.
A first, a second, and a third place finish for Brzusetwicz
The former Vancouver Canucks prospect that the Flames acquired in the Elias Lindholm trade picked up three nods in this year’s poll. For context on where Brzustewicz finished with the voting, he received votes as a Western Conference player since the coaches poll splits up voting by conference.
Smartest Player
The biggest one was taking home the most nods as the smartest player in the league’s Western Conference. He beat out Guelph’s Jeff Luchanko and Saginaw’s Matyas Sapovaliv for the honour. There has been a lot of talk about just how high his hockey IQ is, but to see it recognized by coaches across the league is a major honour.
Best Offensive Defenceman
Slightly surprisingly, the Flames’ prospect finished second as the Western Conference’s best offensive defenceman, finishing behind projected first-round pick Zayne Parekh by ten votes. He beat out Oliver Bonk by some distance. Parekh beat Brzustewicz by four points to finish as the top-scoring defenceman in the OHL this season with 96 points.
Best Playmaker
Interestingly, Brzustewicz finished third in voting as the Western Conference’s best playmaker. He finished behind Parekh and London’s Denver Barkely in this category, losing out by just a couple of votes. Brzustewicz finished with the most assists in the league this year, which shows just how good his playmaking skills are.
There was one surprise nod in there. Former Flames’ prospect Jack Beck finished third as the Western Conference’s best stick handler. Great to see the former prospect doing well.
What’s next for Brzustewicz?
The Flames have signed the American defenceman to an entry-level contract, and Brzustewicz will end his OHL career after the playoffs are over. Kitchener picked up a come-from-behind win over Erie to take a 2–1 lead in their first round playoff matchup. Hopefully, the Flames’ blueliner can start his AHL career with a little bit of silverware in his closet next season.
