NHL Debut: Hunter Brzustewicz (Apr. 17, 2025)

After a strong first pro season in the American Hockey League, Kitchener Rangers graduate Hunter Brzustewicz skated in his first career NHL contest Thursday night, helping the Calgary Flames defeat the Los Angeles Kings 5-1 on the road.

The 20-year-old blueliner wore #48 and saw 18:23 of ice time, finishing the game with a plus-2 rating to close-out his season on a high note.

Brzustewicz spent the season with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, recording 31 points (5-26–31) over 69 games. Originally a third round (75th overall) pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2023, Brzustewicz was acquired by Calgary in a deal on Jan. 31, 2024 that saw Elias Lindholm go back to Vancouver.

Brzustewicz graduated as a second team OHL All-Star in 2023-24, racking up 92 points (13-79–92) over 67 games for the Kitchener Rangers to tie a single season franchise record among blueliners. The Washington, Michigan native spent two seasons in Kitchener, and was the OHL’s inaugural recipient of the Ted Baker Teammate of the Year Award first presented in summer 2024. Brzustewicz amassed 149 points (19-130–149) over 135 regular season games in his two seasons with the Rangers.

Thursday’s win was Calgary’s season finale as the Flames came up just short in their playoff pursuit. Brzustewicz will look to crack the NHL lineup out of training camp come fall.

"Ever since they called me and let me know, smile can’t get off my face."

Hunter Brzustewicz checks in with the media ahead of his first NHL game tonight in LA. pic.twitter.com/EZ0rXLafeb

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) April 17, 2025