Don Sweeney did not give Jake DeBrusk his wish last season, and the lanky winger has been repaying the Bruins and the GM for that decision over and over.
Don Sweeney did not give Jake DeBrusk his wish last season, and the lanky winger has been repaying the Bruins and the GM for that decision over and over.
DeBrusk, of course, had requested a trade two summers ago, a request that became public after former coach Bruce Cassidy scratched him for a game in November of 2021. But while Sweeney explored his options, he refused to deal DeBrusk. In fact, he signed him to a two-year extension on trade deadline day.
And on Monday, DeBrusk delivered even more proof that he’s ready to become the player that the B’s thought he’d be when they drafted him 14th overall in 2015.
DeBrusk scored both third period goals – his 15th and 16th – to lift the B’s to the 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic.
The winger’s renaissance actually began in the second half of last season under Cassidy, and he’s kept it going under Montgomery.
“He’s a lot tougher than people think and he’s more committed than people are aware of. And because of those things, his game is growing, he’s matured, and you can see it. He’s on pace to get 30 goals – over 30 goals – and it doesn’t matter where I use him, he seems to spark the people he plays with,” said Montgomery. “He’s kept himself in excellent shape, he’s come to work every day to get better and he’s been relentless on pucks. He comes up with a lot of pucks and turnovers because of his relentless pursuit of pucks.”
Part of DeBrusk’s improved play has been tied to when Cassidy bumped him up to play with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, something Montgomery has continued.
“It’s been great. It’s been special. He’s a great guy that wants to get better,” said Bergeron. “I think it’s been rocky at times the last two years before that.
