20260407 ONT v COL
Tuesday night marked a major milestone for LA’s 2025 first-round pick, defenseman Henry Brzustewicz made his pro debut with the Ontario Reign. It’s been quite a whirlwind of activity for the 19-year-old rearguard, as his London Knights were just eliminated from the OHL playoffs over the weekend, then he joined the Reign for practice on Monday, followed by his AHL debut against Colorado. Following the team’s overtime win, Brzustewicz, coach Andrew Lord, and fellow Kings prospect Kenny Connors shared some thoughts about the evening…
Brzustewicz on the overall experience:
It was good. It was a tough game; both teams are really good. They’re fighting for first, so it’s fast-paced and stuff. I just felt like I became more comfortable as the game went on. … Just a few days ago, I was playing in an OHL game, so it’s obviously a big step. You just have to be able to adjust your game as much as you can. Just do whatever it takes to get out here and start playing.
On knowing some of the players from training camp last fall, and who were some of the guys he immediately connected with upon arriving back in SoCal:
Joe [Hicketts] took me under his wing a little bit today. He took care of me really well and about all you can ask for, guys like that. It’s really nice. … He said, ‘Just play your game. Do whatever, and I got you. I’ll have your back.” That was great. He supported me all night.
On what Lord had to say, if anything, prior to the game:
Once I got in yesterday, [it was about] just learning all the systems and stuff. There’s a lot that you have to pick up on, but it’s fun overall.
On some of the biggest differences at this level vs. what he saw in the OHL over the past few years:
Just the speed of the game. It’s obviously a lot of older guys, so it’s definitely a step up in pace.”
On what’s on tap next in the OHL, as Carter Geroge and the Soo Greyhounds — who eliminated London — will now face his good friend and former d-partner, Jared Woolley, and the Kitchener Rangers:
We’ll see. Hopefully, I get one of them to come out here once their series is over.
On the possibility of potentially being reunited with Woolley in just a matter of weeks (note for context: Woolley was traded from London to Kitchener at the OHL Trade Deadline in January):
It would be great! They have a great team, though. So, obviously, Georgie will have to do a pretty good job there. But, yeah, that’d be great.
On what he’s looking to take away over the next few weeks, his first taste of pro hockey:
I’m just trying to soak in as much as I can. It’s pretty cool going on a playoff push with these guys. They’re in first place for a reason, and they’re doing everything right.
On waiting until the end of the OHL season to sign his ELC:
Yeah, I was just focused on playing in London at that point. Then, my agent just got it done when I was coming out here.
Lord on pregame discussions with Brzustewicz:
On Brzustewicz taking two penalties in the game and those being good teaching moments over the next few days:
I prefer him not to [take them]. But I think to your point, he has the confidence. He has the aggressiveness; he has the strength. The first one was just a hard box out that I thought probably could have not been called, as well. I think we like that play, to be honest. The other one, he got in on the hands a little bit with a slash. Maybe that is one. He’s a first rounder for a reason, though. He has that that swagger, that confidence — whatever buzzword you want to use. And that’s going to bode well for his future, and certainly, we’ll coach him up tomorrow as well.
On if taking penalties in your first game sometimes just comes with trying too hard:
You’d have to ask him. I know when it’s your first game at a certain level, you probably are a little Juiced up. You’re a little over amped. It could have been that. I don’t know. I think it’s fine, it’s not a huge deal. You want him to be more aggressive, than not aggressive enough, right? So, I think the mindset’s the right way and where we want it.
Connors on if Brzustewicz making his AHL debut reminds him of his own journey over the last year, having first arrived in Ontario about this same time in 2025:
It’s different for him. I came in last year and didn’t play just because I had a broken foot. But it takes a lot of guts and takes a real special player to come in on short notice like that and play — and play how he played. So, I give him a ton of credit. He’s done a really good job of asking guys different questions, kind of getting comfortable as fast as he could. It definitely paid off. I thought he looked really good tonight.
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