Jake DeBrusk
Position: Left Wing
Current Team: Swift Current Broncos, WHL
Date of Birth: October 17, 1996
Place of Birth: Edmonton, Alberta
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 176 lbs
Shoots: Left
Jake DeBrusk has blossomed this year and is a fast riser on many draft boards, due in large part to his breakout scoring season this year. He led the WHL in goal-scoring for first-year draft-eligible players, and his overall scoring total took a huge jump forward this year. The son of a former NHL player (Louie DeBrusk), he has the pedigree to play in the league, and much like a Max Domi kind of player brings more of a scoring touch than his father. He’s a guy that will go to the tough areas of the ice, and is deadly around the net. He has the passion on the ice and is developing the scoring touch to go with it.
Scouting Reports
A two-way winger with good mobility and scoring ability. Willing to battle in the dirty areas and can always find the puck and make the smart play below the hashmarks. Shows good creativity and deception with the puck. Good individual skills and makes good use of any time and space found. DeBrusk won’t beat you up physically, but he can definitely beat you up on the scoreboard. All-in-all, a competitive two-way winger with the natural goal scorer’s instincts. – Elite Prospects
Jake DeBrusk, son of former NHLer Louie DeBrusk, is a mature, intelligent winger. He reminds me a lot of the way Daniel Sedin plays; he can make plays happen, using his creative passing ability, or he can be dangerous with a sneaky little shot. Where he and D. Sedin differ is that he can grind it out in the corners, and he is also able to play extremely well without the puck.
He is a shy player in the locker room, but he has confidence beyond his age on the ice. His linemates benefit from the style of game he brings, which is a high-tempo, playoff-type mentality; this can catch the opposition sleeping sometimes, and he puts up points utilizing his strengths. When he is on the ice, you can definitely sense the youth, excitement and energy he brings to the table. – MyNHLDraft.com
Son of former NHL tough guy, Louie DeBrusk, son Jake has already smashed his freshman totals midway through the WHL schedule as he currently sits with 35 goals and 62 points (59 games). DeBrusk is a clever attacker who relies on great positioning and quick clever puck movement to maximize possession time with his linemates. He has a great knack for timing passes, shots and arrivals into scoring areas and capitalizing on them instantly. DeBrusk has shown a knack for cashing in on opportunities around the blue paint making teams pay around the net. Scouts will love his passion and his scoring instincts both of which are promising attributes for a solid NHL career. DeBrusk leads all first time draft eligible from the WHL in goals. – Brendan Ross, Dobber Sports
A Good Fit in Columbus?
Yes and no. He strikes me as the kind of guy that would flourish in the Jackets’ system. He’s a player that’s not afraid to work on the ice and to go anywhere to get the puck and to score, and he’s got the scoring touch and intelligence and creativity with the puck to get it done. Think of a poor man’s Boone Jenner in terms of his on-ice intensity with maybe a bit more offensive pedigree. That said, the club is pretty flush with forward talent, especially on the left side. If, for some reason, he slid into the second round where the Jackets are picking, you’d have to take a look nonetheless.
DeBrusk Profile