Broncos' DeBrusk in high demand at NHL Combine

Tuesday, 06.02.2015 / 6:43 PM

By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer / Combing the 2015 NHL Scouting Combine

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Combing the 2015 NHL Scouting Combine
Broncos' DeBrusk in high demand at NHL Combine

BUFFALO -- Swift Current Broncos left wing Jake DeBrusk made certain he had plenty of dress shirts and ties for the 2015 NHL Scouting Combine this week at First Niagara Center.

That's because DeBrusk, the son of former NHL player Louie DeBrusk, has interviews lined up with all 30 NHL teams.

"I'll be pretty busy," DeBrusk said. "It's amazing, I'm not going to lie. It's almost unbelievable. But I look forward to talking to every single team."

DeBrusk (6-foot, 171 pounds), No. 19 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of the top North American skaters eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft, was the go-to player for the Broncos in the Western Hockey League this season. He led them with 42 goals, 81 points and 13 power-play goals in 72 games. He also had 40 penalty minutes.

"His work ethic is off the charts. But what also helps are those 42 goals scored; he's a 40-goal scorer who does the dirty work in front of the net on power play," Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan said. "Guys have made a career of standing in front of the net and have played 10 to 15 years doing so. But he drives that car for them. I love his work ethic and his greatest strength is his compete level."

DeBrusk might be looking forward to speaking to every team, but one organization likely will conjure up fond childhood memories. His father spent six seasons with the Edmonton Oilers from 1991-92 through 1996-97 and had 19 goals, 31 points and 797 penalty minutes in 228 games.

The younger DeBrusk was asked about his upcoming meeting with the Oilers, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

"It'll be exciting to see [general manager] Peter Chiarelli and the crew there," he said. "I'm actually really excited for visiting all the teams. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; I was asked some good questions already."

What was the one question he considered most memorable?

"I was asked where I got my hands from; that was a good one," he said with a smile. "I gave credit to my dad."

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