Henry BRZUSTEWICZ

Defenseman
6’2/203
Right
London Knights/OHL

Related: Sascha BOUMEDIENNE

Henry Brzustewicz is a smooth-skating, puck-moving defenseman currently playing for the London Knights in the OHL. His ability to transition the puck out of his own zone and contribute offensively makes him a notable prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. Brzustewicz is a two-way player and right-handed shot defenseman with great competitiveness, vision and physicality from the back end, capable of being utilized in all situations. In 67 games with the London Knights, Henry has 10 goals and 42 points, being deployed in a secondary offensive role. He skates well moving forward but also opens up and adjusts and uses his feet to get open off the puck, play in and out of give-and-gos, create zone exits and step up and close gaps defensively, with a willingness to play physically, compete and a desire to snuff out and end plays. He has shown confidence with the puck and assertiveness without it. Henry Brzustewicz is undoubtedly a player to watch as the 2025 NHL Draft approaches. With his skill set, physical attributes, and strong hockey bloodlines, he has the potential to make an impact in the NHL. As he continues to develop and refine his game, fans and scouts alike will be eagerly anticipating his future in professional hockey. Brzustewicz is slated to early second round pick because of his defensive deficiencies, but his offensive talent could be good enough for a playoff team to take a flyer on him late in the first round.

Size/Strength Great
Skating Great
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Average
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Average
Hockey Sense Great
Competitiveness Great

Strengths

1. Brzustewicz excels at calming the play in his own zone and making precise stretch passes to initiate breakouts. His skating ability allows him to join the rush while maintaining defensive responsibility.
2. He has a great wrist shot from the point that can get through traffic, often leading to goals or rebound opportunities. His offensive instincts make him a valuable asset in transition.
3. His firm, accurate first pass helps facilitate clean breakouts, and he protects the puck well under pressure.

Weakness

1. His shot from the point has notable power, but he needs to improve its accuracy to become a more reliable offensive threat.
2. While his offensive game is strong, he still needs to refine his defensive positioning and decision-making under pressure.

Scouting Report

Henry Brzustewicz is a smooth-skating defenceman who moves the puck extremely well out of his own zone. Once the puck hits his stick, he can calm the play down in his own zone. When he gains possession, he can make a great stretch pass to a teammate for a breakout and also isn’t afraid to break the puck out of the zone himself. With his smooth skating abilities, he can take two or three strides in open space, bring the puck to the neutral zone, and start an offensive rush for his team. The London Knights defenceman also enjoys joining in the rush and showing his offensive game. His ability to join his teammates in an offensive rush chance could scare teams into thinking he loves offence too much but with his fast skating and smooth stride, he can get back on defence very quickly and stop a rush chance from happening the other way. Brzustewicz took on a bigger role this season in London as players such as Isaiah George left the team’s defensive core, and his point totals have reflected his new role. Last season in his rookie campaign, Brzustewicz only recorded six points in 52 games as he was playing on the team’s third defensive pair and sometimes being scratched. This season, playing on the second pair behind Sharks prospect Sam Dickinson and Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk, Brzustewicz had 42 points in 67 games. Henry Brzustewicz has been compared to Brandon Montour of the Florida Panthers due to his smooth skating, puck-moving ability, and offensive instincts. Like Montour, Brzustewicz excels at transitioning the puck out of his own zone and contributing offensively while maintaining defensive responsibility. Another comparison scouts have made is to Tyson Barrie, given Brzustewicz’s ability to quarterback a power play and generate offense from the blue line. While he still needs to refine his defensive positioning and decision-making under pressure, his offensive upside makes him an intriguing prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft. With a right-handed shot, Brzustewicz is a coveted commodity a player any NHL team would love to have on any pairing. With his offence-first mentality, Brzustewicz can be a top 4 defenseman who is an asset on the Powerplay, don’t be surpised if a team takes a chance on him late in the first round.

Skill: Offensive Offensive-minded defenseman, with smooth Skating, and great offensive instincts

NHL Comparable: Brandon Montour

NHL Potential: Top 4 Offensive Defenseman

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	London Knights	OHL	68	4	9
2024-25	London Knights	OHL	84	11	47