Boston Bruins Jakub Zboril and Jake DeBrusk Undergo Late Season Resurgence; May Compete for B's Jobs Next Year

After lackluster regular seasons in which Bruins’ 2015 first round picks Jakub Zboril and Jake DeBrusk saw fellow first rounder Zach Senyshyn rocket past them and up Boston’s prospect chart with a spectacular 45-goal outpouring in the OHL, the pair are enjoying a post-season resurgence as they lead their junior teams through the third round of the playoffs with eyes on the finals.

After a bit of a down year in which Zboril notched 6 goals and 20 points in 50 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL (he had 13 goals, 33 points and 21 more shots in 44 games for them last season), he has taken off in the playoffs with two goals, eight points and a +8 in 14 games. Counting regular season and playoffs, the 19-year old now has 8 goals and 20 assists in 64 games with a +18 rating (up from last year’s total of -1).

At 6’2”, 185 pounds, the left-shooting defender may be rounding out his game. He gained the high profile experience of competing on the international stage in December and January as a top two-way blueliner for the Czech Republic in the World Junior Championships in Finland, and capped things off April 19 with a 3-point night in the Sea Dogs’ 6-2 decisive game 7 win over Cape Breton in front of 6,000 home fans to advance to the QMJHL semifinals.

A smooth-skating defenseman who moves the puck well up ice and quarterbacks the powerplay, Zboril also plays with an edge in the defensive zone. He isn't afraid to drop the gloves when needed, either. “I like to play physical and hit other guys, maybe piss them off a little,” he told The Hockey News leading up to last June’s draft when the Bruins selected him 13^th overall – just before they chose DeBrusk and Senyshyn.

The Bruins are in dire need of a young, quick defender who can both cover well and move the puck with poise - and Zboril has those traits. A bit of a mean streak may also serve him well as Boston tries to put some fear back in opponents who enter the defensive zone.

"I like to play physical and hit other guys, maybe piss them off a little."        -Jakub Zboril

Meanwhile after an outstanding draft year in which he pelted WHL nets with 42 goals and 81 points in 72 games, DeBrusk tailed off a bit this season. He came out of the gate roaring for Swift Current with 20 points in 13 games, but went down with a lower body injury blocking a shot early in game 14 and missed 11 games while being hobbled in several more as he came back a little too soon. He was traded to Red Deer in a WHL deadline move to help the Rebels’ playoff run while Swift Current rebuilds. The trade to his hometown Edmonton province seemed to give him new life, as he finished +15 the rest of the way after going -5 with the Broncos. Although he scored only 21 goals, he finished with a respectable 65 points in 61 games.

“It’s been a little bit up and down,” DeBrusk told the Boston Globe in mid February. “But, honestly, this year I’ve learned a lot and I’m focusing on my defensive side of my game and things like that. I think I’m finding my stride here, but just continue to try and get better every single day. [And] trying to add new elements to my game. I think I’m a better player than I was last year.”

A left-shooting left winger, DeBrusk, 19, 6’0”, 181 pounds, has seized the opportunity to play for a good team and soared in the playoffs leading the Rebels' charge to the semifinals against the Brandon Wheat Kings. He’s second on the team in playoff scoring with 14 points in 14 games, including 6 goals. He is using his creativity in the offensive zone and scoring knack in front of the net. Added with his regular season totals, he now has 27 goals and 52 assists for 79 points over 75 games – comparable to the 81 points he had in 75 total games last year.

Playing on a better Red Deer team also gives DeBrusk the additional big-time playoff experience he didn’t get in Swift Current. “I’ve never been past the first round of the playoffs in my life, so this is a great opportunity for me here,” he said on Yahoo Sports Canada. “I want to end (my junior career) off on a high note.”

With Bruins wingers Brett Connolly and Landon Ferraro restricted free agents and Loui Ericksson, Chris Kelly and Lee Stempniak unrestricted free agents and all uncertain to be resigned, DeBrusk has a chance to impress Boston brass to compete for a roster spot in the fall and at a minimum should be playing for Providence in all situations.

While both Zboril and DeBrusk are already signed by the Bruins to entry level deals for when they are ready to go pro, DeBrusk is poised to move on from the WHL this upcoming offseason. Since he turns 20 in October, he’s eligible to play in the AHL next year. He also has NHL roots – his father is former NHLer Louie DeBrusk. “I just need to continue to work hard and focus on the team,” he added. “You need to work hard and believe in yourself.”

After years of poor drafting and trades (including the franchise-altering Tyler Seguin deal), as well as overpaying veteran role players, the Bruins have a renewed focus on developing and integrating youth through the draft and free agency. David Pastrnak and Ryan Spooner stepped into full-time roster roles this year, while Noel Acciari, Frank Vatrano and Colin Miller got into NHL games for the first time. Zboril and DeBrusk have a chance to follow suit next year as the B’s try to keep pace with the NHL’s fast-moving speed train.

“This is a young man’s business and we have to understand we have to make space and room for them,” Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs told the Bruins website. “It will be exciting.”

UPDATE:  The Sea Dogs and Rebels both came just short of reaching the finals as they were eliminated in game 5 losses from the respective QMJHL and WHL semifinals on April 29, each going down 4-1 for their series. DeBrusk notched his 8th playoff goal in the final game with  a nice deflection  in front from a point shot and finished the playoffs with 17 points in 17 games, giving him a total of 29 goals, 53 assists and 82 points in 78 games. Zboril also finished strong, picking up three hits and two assists off his point blasts in the loss. He completed his playoff run with 10 points on two goals and eight assists over 17 games, totaling eight goals and 30 points in 67 games for the year. Since Red Deer hosted the Memorial Cup, DeBrusk returned to action May 20 for the four-team tournament between the Rebels and the champions of the OHL, QMJHL and WHL, and recorded a goal, three assists and 17 shots in four games.