Rookie watch: DeBrusk thriving with Bruins

Jake DeBrusk never experienced life as a healthy scratch at any point in his hockey career until this season.
To his credit, DeBrusk (6-foot, 188 pounds) took his Nov. 11 benching in a 4-1 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 11 in stride, learned from it and has since become a vital part of the offense for the Boston Bruins who are in second place in the Atlantic Division (74 points), three points behind the first place Tampa Bay Lightning with one game in hand.

"You learn about yourself, what you need to do, and gain a better understanding of how things work," DeBrusk said of the benching. "There's lots of veterans on the team who told me stories about when they were scratched and what they got out of it. I took those lessons when I returned to the lineup and reacted the way I wanted to react. It's a lot easier said than done, but there are lots of things that can go wrong and get into your head (as a young player). You just have to keep it simple, and play with a chip on your shoulder."
DeBrusk, 21, has been a fixture much of the season alongside center David Krejci, filling an important top-six role that the Bruins envisioned when they selected him No. 14 in the 2015 NHL Draft.
"Jake's a competitive, proud kid, but I think maybe the speed and everything caught up to him," said his father and former NHL player Louie DeBrusk, now a hockey analyst for Sportsnet. "His goal (after being scratched) was, 'I don't want to give them a reason to pull me out of the lineup again,' and he hasn't."
DeBrusk has 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) and is tied for fourth on the Bruins with 10 even-strength goals in 50 games. The fact he's produced at 5-on-5 is a big reason for his averaging 14:18 of ice time. He is tied for third among NHL rookies in game-winning goals (four) with Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser.

One improved area since the start of the season has been his mobility with or without the puck. DeBrusk knows it's no secret Krejci is at his best when he is beside swift skaters, and he understand the importance of being that type of player despite the fact his line will draw an opposing top-four defense unit.
"I always used to hear 'Keep your feet moving' when I was younger and I think that's true for every player," DeBrusk said. "What the coaches stress is that when I'm playing fast, things happen for me out there. It's not necessarily that I don't try to move my feet, but it's just some nights you have more jump than other nights and those are the nights when I'm having my best games."
Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy has liked the improvement in DeBrusk.
"Generally, for [DeBrusk], it's his legs and that's what he has to understand," Cassidy said. "That's the part we remind him of; if you don't have your legs it's going to be tough for you in this League. He's still growing into his body and getting to know the players in the League but when he's skating he's very effective."
DeBrusk has been cognizant of his play in his own zone. He ranks eighth on the Bruins in power-play ice time (82:08), 10th in hits (55) and tied for ninth in takeaways (21). Boston controlled 53.11 percent of all shot attempts with DeBrusk on the ice prior to their 5-3 win at the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.

"I don't think he's where he wants to be yet, but I certainly think he's feeling more comfortable," Louie DeBrusk said. "He's acclimated to the speed of the League and he's understanding that when he does move his feet he could be really effective so it's just a matter of bringing that consistently."
The elder DeBrusk spent 11 seasons in the League from 1991-2003 with the Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Phoenix Coyotes and Chicago Blackhawks. He had 41 points (24 goals, 17 assists) and 1,161 penalty minutes in 401 NHL games.
He understands the patience needed by every young player in becoming familiar with the speed and physicality of the game.
"This is a grueling schedule and everyone goes through their ups and downs and he's felt a couple of those as well," DeBrusk said. "I guess what it comes down to is good pros are able to minimize [ups and downs] so even though they might not feel it on a given night, they manage their game well and play sound defensively. I think that's where Jake's at right now."