‘It’ll be awesome’: Hounds Brzustowski
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
Typically, a trip to Kitchener’s Memorial Auditorium, one of the biggest arenas in the Ontario Hockey League, sparks excitement for players new to the 20-team loop.
But it’s likely no Soo Greyhound will be more enthusiastic on Friday than first-year defenceman Luc Brzustowski.
As a Kitchener native, the nearly six-foot-one, 175-pounder, grew up cheering for the Rangers.
He came up through the Kitchener Minor Hockey Association, playing for a number of teams carrying the Jr. Rangers’ moniker.
“It’ll be awesome playing in front of the fans,” said Brzustowski, an 18-year-old (2003 birth year), taken by the Soo in the sixth round (No. 120 overall) of the 2019 Priority Selections draft. “I’ve been in those stands many times to watch Rangers’ games.”
Of course, his loyalty as a Rangers fan disappeared when the Hounds drafted him.
“I’m pretty excited about this trip,” said Brzustowski, whose club seeks its second straight victory over the Rangers.
The Hounds secured a 3-1 win on Wednesday at GFL Memorial Gardens.
“It’ll be cool just driving into Kitchener and knowing my way around the city,” he added. “It’ll be very, very exciting stepping onto the ice to face the Rangers and I want to beat them very, very much.”
Friday’s start time is 7:30 p.m.
It marks the first game of a brief, two-game trip for the Hounds, who wrap things up on Saturday in Guelph (7 p.m.).
The Auditorium complex houses three arenas.
The largest, the Dom Cardillo Arena, boasts a seating capacity of 7,777.
Brzustowski, whose home is just a 10-minute walk from the Aud, has played a few minor hockey games, while also competing in tournaments, on the Dom Cardillo ice.
However, Friday’s experience “is going to be weird,” he admitted. “I’ve never really seen where the visiting team enters.”
Along with a group of friends, Brzustowski will be cheered on by a number of family members including his parents, Paul and Kelly, sister Julia and grandparents Doug and Barb Dunnington.
“Going to be awesome playing in front of everyone,” he added.
Through nine games, the Hounds own a 6-3-0-0 record, while the Rangers (5-2-0-0) have dropped two straight after opening the season with five straight wins. Brzustowski, who has taken a regular shift in each game, has one goal to date, having scored in an Oct. 14 victory in Barrie.
Greyhounds head coach John Dean spoke of how the first-year rearguard has impressed him.
“He’s shown some flashes of really exceptional hockey,” said Dean, who called Brzustowski’s skating ability “elite.”
The coach also noted the player’s high hockey IQ, but discussed how consistency is something Brzustowski must strive for.
“I think that I’ve gotten used to the pace of play and what’s expected of me,” the rookie said. “I want to continue to grow and contribute to the team’s success.”
The Greyhounds were impressive while playing without the puck on Wednesday. They defended particularly well, limiting the number of quality chances the Rangers enjoyed.
Dean talked about how he wants to see more of the same on Friday.
“We need to put that commitment to managing the puck and playing without the puck together for two games in a row,” he added.
Hounds’ defenceman Jacob Holmes also spoke of the team’s desire for a repeat performance.
“We need to play the same way we did” on Wednesday, Holmes said. “We have to stick to our game plan and make sure we compete for a full 60 minutes.”
Kitchener coach and general manager Mike McKenzie discussed the fact he’ll be looking for more energy and more tenacity from his charges in Friday’s rematch.
“We weren’t in sync,” he said of Wednesday’s performance. “We can’t have a start like we did. I want to see a little more urgency from the drop of the puck.”
Notes:
When the Hounds face Guelph on Saturday at the Sleeman Centre the Storm will be playing its third game in three nights.
Following weekend action, the Greyhounds return home to face Saginaw (7:07 p.m.) here on Wednesday.
