With the 2025 NHL Entry Draft quickly approaching, we’ve cast a wide net out on players we expect to be on the Kings radar. Who will ultimately work their way up LA’s list, pulled together by Mark Yannetti and his group of scouts? regardless of current depth at a particular position, keep in mind that these are long-term commitments, and needs may change down the line.
One thing that never seems to go out of style, though, are right shot defenders. Thus, we thought it wise to take a look at the teammate of another Kings prospect.
Henry Brzustewicz
Vitals
Date of Birth: February 9, 2007
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 194 lbs
Shoots: Right
Position: Defense
2024-25 Season
Brzustewicz spent his 2024-25 season playing for the OHL’s London Knights. In 67 games, he had 42 points (10 G, 32 A).
Knighthood
Avid Mayor’s Manor followers may recognize reference to the Knights, as Kings prospect Jared Woolley also played alongside him en route to winning this year’s OHL title.
Memorial, All Alone in the Moonlight
The native of Washington, MI, stands out among other top prospects who have played hockey at the level Brzustewicz has. He has never played in any major international tournaments. His only championships have been when playing for London. In this capacity, the right-shot defender has back-to-back OHL championships as well as a Memorial Cup championship this year.
Brzus’ Brothers
Brzustewicz is the younger brother of highly successful junior player Hunter Brzustewicz, who put up over 90 points in his D+1 season. Originally drafted by Vancouver, the elder brother made his NHL debut this season.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No. 37 by McKeen’s Hockey: “In a lot of ways, the full scope of Henry Brzustewicz’s upside is not yet known. There is a future where he develops into a top defensive prospect out of the shadows of Sam Dickinson and Oliver Bonk. At the beginning of the year, Brzustewicz was doing a great job running the London powerplay without Dickinson in the fold. He has a big point shot. His puck skill and ability to slip coverage are underrated. He has the intensity, mobility, and length to be a defensive standout. It’s just about cleaning up those mental errors. Making quicker decisions with the puck. Chasing the play less. If you really trust the Hunter’s, you are likely to believe Brzustewicz has among the highest overall upside of any defender available this year. He’s going to have the keys to one of the top programs in junior hockey as early as next season.”
Ranked No. 46 by Future Considerations. “Brzustewicz is a smooth-skating, two-way, right-shot defenseman who combines strong fundamentals, high-end hockey intelligence, and a composed, mature approach to the game. His mobility is a stand-out attribute, featuring quick acceleration, agile edgework, and excellent lateral movement that allow him to close gaps, navigate pressure, and support plays on both ends of the rink. His skating helps him drive transitions, and he routinely initiates clean breakouts with accurate first passes and strong puck retrievals under pressure. He handles forechecking pressure with poise, consistently making the right reads to move the puck safely and efficiently. Brzustewicz excels at reading the ice and demonstrates poised decision-making, often opting for high-percentage, low-risk plays that retain possession and maintain offensive flow. He is relied upon in all situations, playing significant minutes on the power play, where his puck distribution and ability to walk the line generate offensive opportunities, and on the penalty kill, where he uses smart stick placement and positional discipline to shut down lanes. He displays consistent defensive habits, effectively maintaining structure in his own zone and showing an understanding of spacing, timing, and angling. Along the boards and in front of the net, Brzustewicz uses his frame and strength to battle effectively, often emerging with the puck or tying up attackers to deny second chances. Offensively, he demonstrates solid puck control and vision, especially in keeping plays alive at the blue line, though his approach is more pragmatic than flashy.”
Ranked No. 38 by Elite Prospects. “In most shifts, Brzustewicz plays a quiet and supportive style of game. Rotating ahead of plays, denying the middle, pushing opponents wide, and walling off the front of the net, he contains the opposition. When they put themselves in vulnerable spots, he engages, skating forward at them, and pushing them off the puck. He retrieves it and moves it to his partner, prioritizing safety over creativity.”
See For Yourself
Video of Brzustewicz vs. Rimouski in the Memorial Cup Championship:
Final Comments
Brzustewicz is an average sized defenseman who plays a responsible two-way game, and observers will see an otherwise solid but unspectacular player. There are no major qualities and skills that stand out. On the plus side, this ensures a higher level of confidence that no particular issue will hold him back. However, this leads to concerns of having an identity when there’s no defining talent.
London’s blueliner isn’t a complex problem solver offensively or defensively. In his own zone, he is quick to protect the slot against incoming attacks. The position will shift to behind the net when the puck gets chipped behind the goal line.
Offensively, Brzustewicz thrives on leaving himself as a pass option near the blueline. He doesn’t recklessly jump in or create an alternate point of attack. The right-shot blueliner is equally comfortable between passing to his teammate or firing a shot at the opposition’s net. His shots are strictly for the net – he doesn’t shoot for tips.
While Los Angeles has a strong pipeline of blueliners, the right side has quickly become barren. With Jordan Spence coming up in trade rumors, that would leave Drew Doughty, Brandt Clarke, and Otto Salin among a rather thin group. Brzustewicz could be just what they’re looking for late in Round 1.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
Lead photo by Luke Durda/OHL Images
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