Henry Brzustewicz (D, R, 6’2″, 204, London Knights, 02/09/2007)
Henry Brzustewicz is a physically mature, two-way right-shot defenseman who plays heavy minutes in all situations for a top-tier OHL club. He brings size, competitiveness, and a heavy shot, combined with strong puck battle wins and the ability to generate consistent scoring opportunities from the blue line. While his game lacks elite offensive flair and his footspeed gets exposed at times, Brzustewicz is a legitimate NHL prospect who profiles as a middle-pairing defender at the next level if he can continue to develop his skating efficiency & explosiveness and sharpen his puck placement under pressure.
Why Brzustewicz Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) NHL-Ready Frame and Physical Presence
At 6’2″, 205 lbs, Brzustewicz is already physically prepared for the next level. He plays with strength, balance, and a willingness to engage physically (0.7 hits given per game, 58% in puck battles), often neutralizing forwards along the wall. He plays with a competitive edge, and he uses his size to box out, close off rushes, and protect the slot effectively. He’s not a punisher yet, but the foundation for shutdown utility is present (77 PIMs).
2) Offensive Instincts and Shot Generation from the Point
Henry produces 1.08 Grade “A” scoring chances per game — an elite number for a defenseman. He’s active at the blue line, walks laterally with poise, and is willing to jump into soft spots to create chances. His one-timer is a developing weapon, though his 9% scoring rate on “Grade A” chances needs to improve through added deception and a quicker release. He gets pucks through (2.4 shots on goal/game), even if his shot selection still needs refining (1.21 blocked per game, 1.01 misses).
3) High-End Puck Retrieval and Processing
Brzustewicz is calm under pressure and one of the better retrieval/first-pass defensemen in the OHL. He consistently under-handles pucks, draws in pressure, and moves pucks with purpose. His 8 takeaways/game and 1.14 blocked shots/game speak to high-end defensive stick placement, sacrifice and game-reading ability. He doesn’t panic on exits and keeps the game moving in the right direction.
4) Trusted in All Situations
Logging 21:30 TOI/game with nearly equal zone time split and contributing on both special teams (1:24 PP, 2:18 PK), Brzustewicz is trusted by the London staff to defend leads, kill penalties, and move pucks under pressure. His 87% passing completion and nearly 1 pre-shot pass per game reflect clean touches and vision in zone play and transition. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable and functional.
Why Brzustewicz Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Skating and Lateral Agility Must Improve
Brzustewicz’s straight-line speed and acceleration are average, and his footwork can be exposed by speed — particularly east-west players in transition. Against high-end rushers, he can get caught flat-footed or lose positioning due to delayed pivots. While he defends with his detailed stick, length and size, at this point his mobility has a clear ceiling on match-ups unless developed. For today’s NHL pace, this limits his transition effectiveness without puck support.
2) Not Dominant Physically for His Size
Although he has pro size, Brzustewicz isn’t consistently imposing. He’s receiving more hits per game (1.34) than delivering (0.7) and doesn’t always leverage his frame to dictate play physically. While the 58% puck battle win rate is solid, we’d like to see more nastiness — especially for a projected shutdown/second-pairing type. He projects more as a contain and deny defender than a punishing one.
3) Offense Is Efficient, But Not Dynamic
While he generates chances and posts respectable point totals (10G, 32A), Brzustewicz doesn’t drive offense the way elite NHL blueliners do. Most of his offense comes from low-to-high play, rebounds, or smart point shots rather than clean zone entries or creative deception. His passing is simple, not innovative, and his scoring rate from Grade A chances (9%) is pedestrian for someone getting that many looks. He may top out as a 20-30 point contributor in the NHL. (And yes we know he was playing with former 1st round NHL picks Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk, and NHL draft picks Cam Allen and Jared Woolley)
Projection and NHL Outlook
Projection: Middle-pairing NHL defenseman with top-pair upside in a structured system
Developmental Focus:
Improve lateral agility and defensive footwork vs. speed
Add more snarl and edge to physical game
Refine puck placement and shot deception at the blue line
Continue developing as a penalty killer and defensive zone stopper
Draft Grade: Late 2nd Round – Early 3rd Round
Verdict:
Brzustewicz is a pro-ready physical package with steady puck skills and the ability to play in all situations. While he lacks dynamic skating and may never lead a power play, his floor as a reliable second-unit defender who can eat minutes and play matchup hockey is appealing. If he can improve explosiveness and better weaponize his shot, he could graduate into a reliable second-pair shutdown defender with some secondary offense. Safe projection as a middle-pair NHL contributor with room to grow.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images