In a thrilling turn of events for Vancouver Canucks fans, Jake DeBrusk, the seasoned 27-year-old winger, had a bit of an unfamiliar feeling as he prepared to hit the ice with his new teammates in Penticton, B.C. on Thursday — butterflies. This may come as a surprise to some, as DeBrusk is no stranger to NHL training camps, having spent seven successful seasons with the Boston Bruins. However, Thursday marked his very first time skating with a new team, bringing about a mix of nerves and excitement.
“It was actually pretty nerve-racking. I was a little nervous going out there,” DeBrusk confessed after the Canucks’ first day of training camp. “It kind of caught me off guard, actually. But it was good. The guys are competing and it was fast out there. Trying to get chemistry and things like that, so it was exciting.”
DeBrusk’s big move to Vancouver came after he signed a lucrative seven-year, US$38.5-million deal with the Canucks as soon as the free agent market opened on July 1. He was quickly slotted in as a linemate for the Canucks’ star centre, Elias Pettersson. The dynamic duo wasted no time in hitting the ice together during drills on Thursday, leaving DeBrusk thoroughly impressed.
“I think I’ve seen a lot of really wicked plays by (Pettersson),” he shared. “And I’m sort of still catching up a little bit, but I’m starting to figure some of it out, I think. Any time you have a player like that that’s so dynamic, you want to just be consistent for him and just have someone that he can rely on.”
Pettersson, the young and talented centre, had high praise for his new linemate, commending DeBrusk’s speed and tenacity on the ice. “He’s skillful, but then works hard,” Pettersson noted. “He plays the body and goes to the dirty areas. But I think it’s the combination of physical play and smartness.”
Both players acknowledged that developing chemistry takes time, both on the ice and away from the rink. It’s a process that requires patience, communication, and a shared goal of success. As the Canucks gear up for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on DeBrusk and Pettersson to see how their partnership blossoms and influences the team’s performance on the ice. Stay tuned for more updates as the thrilling hockey saga unfolds in Vancouver.
