The feeling was made even more special given the special guests that were in attendance. DeBrusk's entire immediate family flew in from Edmonton for his debut, including his father, Louie, the former winger, who played 400 NHL games for the Oilers, Lightning, Coyotes, and Blackhawks.
"It means a lot," said DeBrusk, who was the first Bruin to score in his debut since Frank Vatrano in November 2015. "He took a red eye here with the family, got in early with family, took a nap, came to the game. It's one of those things that I'm very fortunate and lucky. Obviously, everyone's got different family things going on, but I was lucky enough for them to come and lucky enough to score when they were here.
"So it's one of those things that I guess was meant to be, and something I'll never forget, that's for sure."
The bond between father and son was clear following DeBrusk's inaugural tally. When the NESN cameras panned to the proud father in Loge 20, tears were streaming down his face. And you can be sure son won't allow father to live that one down anytime soon.
"Well, he's known as a tough guy but I heard that there were some tears coming from him," DeBrusk said with a smile. "So it's a very emotional time, but I'll be chirping him for a couple of years to come. That's for sure."