Hunter Brzustewicz Is Making His Case - And the Flames Are Taking Notice
Hunter Brzustewicz may only be in his second year as a pro, but he’s already showing signs of being a long-term piece on the Calgary Flames’ blue line. Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks and traded before ever suiting up for them, Brzustewicz has quickly become a bright spot in the Flames’ organization-and his development this season is turning heads.
The 20-year-old defenseman spent his entire rookie campaign with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, where he quietly put together a solid 32-point season over 70 games. Most of that time came alongside defensive partner Yan Kuznetsov, and while his playoff run was cut short due to a lower-body injury, Brzustewicz bounced back strong over the summer. By the time training camp rolled around, he was one of the more noticeable prospects on the ice, and his preseason performance only reinforced that.
He started the 2025-26 season back in the AHL, logging 23 games with the Wranglers. But it didn’t take long for the Flames to realize he was ready for more. On December 8, Brzustewicz got the call-up-and he didn’t waste the opportunity.
With just one NHL game under his belt at the time, the Flames gave him a shot to prove he could hang. And with Zayne Parekh sidelined due to injury, there was an opening on the right side.
Brzustewicz stepped in and made the most of it, playing regularly and carving out a role for himself. While he did sit a few games to get Brayden Pachal some reps, Brzustewicz was largely a fixture in the lineup.
The milestones came quickly. On January 7, he picked up his first NHL point with an assist on a Joel Farabee goal against Montreal. Just a few weeks later, on January 25, he found the back of the net for the first time in the NHL, redirecting a puck past the Ducks for his debut goal.
But hockey development isn’t always a straight line. After that goal, he only played one more NHL game before Parekh returned from his conditioning stint.
With the Flames facing a roster crunch ahead of the Olympic break-and not wanting to risk losing players to waivers-Brzustewicz, who is waiver-exempt, was one of the few players they could send down without consequence. Along with forward Matvei Gridin, he was reassigned to the Wranglers following Calgary’s win over Edmonton heading into the break.
The move wasn’t performance-based. Brzustewicz had played well, even earning time quarterbacking the power play.
But the Flames are juggling a crowded blue line and trying to navigate the trade deadline without losing assets for nothing. Brzustewicz became a victim of roster logistics more than anything else.
Still, the young defenseman is taking it in stride.
“I’m going to be honest-of course, I would’ve liked to go home,” Brzustewicz said. “But that’s not what the plan had for me. I believe in my plan and I’ve just got to stick with the process.”
That mindset is exactly what you want from a young player. He’s not sulking about being sent down; he’s focused on the long game.
And he’s not just saying the right things-he’s backing it up with his play. In his first game back with the Wranglers, he picked up an assist and was immediately back to logging big minutes.
The Flames have to like what they’re seeing. Brzustewicz has shown real growth, particularly in the areas the organization wanted him to focus on last summer-playing with pace, retrieving pucks quickly, and making smart decisions under pressure.
He’s also starting to flash the offensive instincts that made him stand out in the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers. That part of his game showed up last season in the AHL, and it’s beginning to translate at the NHL level as well.
“I think I’ve taken big strides,” Brzustewicz said. “The stuff they wanted to get me working on over the past summer, going into the season-I think they fixed right up.
Just get back to the puck, playing with pace. Obviously, a lot more to go, but I think I can take a big step in the offensive game.”
There’s no question Brzustewicz belongs in the NHL. The only thing keeping him out right now is timing.
With the Flames navigating trade rumors and a tight roster situation, Brzustewicz’s flexibility has made him the odd man out-for now. But his return feels inevitable.
In the meantime, he’s focused on helping the Wranglers, a team that’s had its share of struggles this season. Asked what he hopes to bring during his time back in the AHL, Brzustewicz kept it simple:
“Wins. Anything I can help the team with.
Obviously, it hasn’t been great the past few months and hopefully I just bring a positive mindset. Good guy in the locker room and hopefully we can string together some wins.”
That’s the kind of leadership teams love from a young player-not just chasing stats, but focused on team success. And while he’s back in the AHL for now, he’s treating every game like it’s an NHL game. Whether it’s his A-game or he has to fall back on his B-game, Brzustewicz is showing a level of maturity and consistency that bodes well for his future.
With 19 NHL games under his belt this season, he’s already proven he can contribute at the next level. Now, he’s keeping himself sharp in the AHL, eligible for a playoff run if the Wranglers can get there. He’s expected to suit up this long weekend against the Manitoba Moose-and don’t be surprised if he’s back in a Flames jersey not long after the Olympic break wraps up.
For Calgary, it’s not a matter of if Brzustewicz is part of the future. It’s just a matter of when.