Former Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk tested the free agency market and signed with the Vancouver Canucks at the start of July.
DeBrusk was a homegrown winger for the Bruins after being drafted by Boston in 2015. He officially started his NHL career in 2017 and played seven seasons with the Bruins.
During the 2021 playoffs, the 27-year-old was a healthy scratch, and with wanting a new start, he requested a trade following the season. Then, in November of the same year, DeBrusk asked another trade that got out to the public.
Later in the season, though, he rescinded his trade request and decided to stay in the Black and Gold.
DeBrusk reflected on that point in his career earlier this week while appearing on the “The Cam & Strick Podcast.”
“I asked for (a trade) in the summer,” DeBrusk said. “Just with the way the team was shaping up when it came to just where I was looking, where I could possibly play in the lineup and things like that. And kind of how the year ended, I got scratched in the playoffs and I just thought it’s time for maybe just a fresh start for both sides.”
After the news came out to media about wanting to leave Boston, DeBrusk was nervous to head to the rink the next day and face his teammates.
The uncomfortableness went away when DeBrusk’s Bruins teammates quickly rallied around him. The next day at the rink, the players were understanding of the reason he had for requesting the trade.
“When it came out, it was very uncomfortable,” DeBrusk said. “It was very uncomfortable going into the rink the next day and talk to the guys in the room. The guys that were there were the biggest reason why I got out of that situation, that side of things. They had my back; they were with me through it all and they were all good with me. They understood why in the room, they knew it was just me trying to find a better fit for my career to have a longer NHL career and a better chance at something.”
The forward stayed with the Bruins for three more seasons and did find success with the team. During the 2021-22 season, he played 77 games and put up 42 points on 25 goals and 17 assists. The season after in 80 games, he tallied a career-high 50 points from 27 goals and 23 assists.
Debrusk will now play on the other side in his return to TD Garden on Nov. 26.
