Canucks' Prospects 'Laser-Focused' At World Junior Summer Showcase

Three Canucks' prospects that participated in the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase left an impression on their potential for the future.

Canucks' Player Development Coach and former NHL defenseman, Mike Komisarek, summarized their play in a few words.

"Hunter Brzustewicz is like a quarterback in the pocket...Jackson Dorrington is a human eraser when he gets guys down low in the corners, and Elias Pettersson is a hammer and everything else is a nail," Komisarek said.

It paints a vivid picture.

The tournament was held in Plymouth, Michigan: Brzustewicz and Dorrington with Team USA and Elias Pettersson with Team Sweden. All three were in Vancouver for Canucks' Development Camp and brought the same energy and work ethic to the Showcase.

The Showcase featured 45 U.S. players split into two teams (Team Blue and Team White), and teams from Finland and Sweden. It serves as another touchpoint for the athletes to be evaluated as they're trying to make their respective 2024 World Junior rosters to compete in the IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden this December.

Komisarek participated in the Showcase twice and played on two World Junior teams in 2001 and 2002. On the other side of it now as a coach, he gets nostalgic and says it's gratifying to be part of players' development.

"It's exciting to envision the potential of these players, and it's easy to get excited about all of them," he said. "It's about caring about these kids on and off the ice and being invested in their success."

Komisarek said all three players' decision-making and puck-moving improved as the week went on; it's par for the course to shake off the rust and get acclimated to non-practice speed. It's an opportunity for the Canucks' prospect to compete against players they wouldn't normally match-up with or against, and getting more reps is important in development.

Canucks' 2022 sixth-round pick, Jackson Dorrington, earned an invitation to the Showcase through his play at Northeastern University last season. He suited up in all 35 games for Northeastern and finished the season with six points (0-6-6) and 31 blocks.

Komisarek was at nearly a dozen of Dorrington's games last season and noted his progress was continuous and paralleled Northeastern's trajectory, culminating with the Huskies winning the Beanpot championship.

"He had probably one of his best games last year at the first game of the Beanpot versus Boston University at TD Garden. It was a packed house, big stage, and he excelled in that game. He didn't look like a freshman out there," Komisarek said.

Dorrington was assertive away from the puck at the Showcase and was consistent with his physical style of play. It was evident his confidence grew with each game.

"He gets a hold of guys down low in the corners and he initiates contact and takes pride in winning those 50/50 puck battles. He's a physical force in front of the net too, and a guy you don't enjoy playing against," Komisarek said.

Dorrington (Team White) had an assist in game six that featured a Team White 7-3 win over Team Blue. He's always learning and adapting his game and is attentive and receptive to feedback. Komisarek encouraged Dorrington and Pettersson to use the opportunity to learn from their peers at the camp, taking bits and pieces of other player's games and incorporating them.

Brzustewicz showed his aptitude offensively, constantly looking for ways to get up the ice and be part of the offence, especially on the second and third waves of attack. He was patient with the puck and Komisarek says his mobility and hockey IQ shines when he's got the puck at the offensive blue line.

"He's a player that has tons of confidence with the puck and a high threshold under pressure. He's like a quarterback in the pocket, when there's pass rushers coming at him, he's got the internal clock, poise, and vision to make the right play, see the ice and what's going on around him," he said.

His penalty kill time during the Showcase was limited, but with the minutes he had on the PK he was able to anticipate and stay loose in front of the net. Komisarek said the penalty kill and power play can be a little scrambled with this tournament being the first go-round of five-on-five hockey for the players since their respective seasons have ended.

Last season for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL, Brzustewicz put up 57 points (6-51-57) in 68 games.

Pettersson kept his trademark physical presence every shift and he played with confidence, which he backs up with his work ethic that Komisarek saw at Canucks' Development Camp. He recalled Pettersson working through drills and approaching every rep with the same intensity, which translates to his game.

"He's a disrupter on the back end and is constantly getting in the way. He's a smooth, mobile skater for his size, and like Jackson too, he'll initiate contact. He wants to win those battles and move pucks and we're helping him realize that untapped potential offensively as well. He showed a couple glimpses of getting up on the rush and is assertive and confident in all areas of the game," he said.

Last season with Orebro HK, the 18-year-old Pettersson exuded confidence and tallied seven points (1-6-7) in 43 games. He returns to Orebro HK in the SHL this season and Komisarek expects him, and fellow 2022 NHL Draft pick Jonathan Lekkerimaki, to be key pieces of the team.

Komisarek said one thing all three have in common is that they know who they are and what they bring on the ice. They also have the innate desire to improve, and as any athlete can attest to, the learning never stops.

"As much as I'm trying to help these kids through coaching, I'm learning so much from them," Komisarek said. "They are so dedicated and devoted to their craft and laser-focused on building their game."