How acquired: Selected with No. 29 pick in 2020 NHL Draft
2021-22 season: Michigan (NCAA): 38 GP, 21-21-42; Henderson (AHL): 7 GP, 3-5-8
Brisson (5-11, 179) had a busy season, playing for the University of Michigan, with the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in February and with Henderson of the American Hockey League after signing a tryout agreement April 12. He later signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights.
While Brisson has a nose for the net and can produce offensively, Vegas director of player development Wil Nichol said the 20-year-old has worked on his game to become a reliable, trustworthy player. Brisson has impressed the Golden Knights with his coachability, his release and his ability to think his way around the rink.
"He sees [the game], he thinks [the game] at an elite level," Nichol said. "He's got an elite NHL shot and the thing about Brendan is, there are almost no bad passes that come to him because he's almost always able to get around the puck and to get an extremely dangerous shot off. His release and his ability to think his way around the rink is exceptional."
Projected NHL arrival: This season