Frederic Brunet had heart, determination, motivation, and skills, but needed to fine-tune and refine his development. The Bruins selected Brunet in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft with the 132nd overall pick, fully aware that the draft re-entry player, also known as an overaged pick, needed further development.
The 6’3″, 189-pound defenseman from Gatineau, Quebec showcased his offensive talent in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Last season, he finished second in voting for the league’s top defenseman after ranking among the top three blueliners in setting up teammates for shots on goal and slot shots on goal for two consecutive seasons. His offensive prowess was undisputed at that level.
In 48 games with the Providence Bruins this season, flashes of offensive instinct were visible at times, but experience will be necessary to build his confidence, which will ultimately lead to increased production.
It was also evident that Brunet was focusing more on the areas he needed to improve rather than the skills he knew he excelled at. Continued work with the Providence coaching staff and development coordinator Adam McQuaid will greatly benefit his growth.
What work needs to be done?
In junior hockey, Brunet demonstrated decisive playmaking and consistently made the right decisions in transition. However, since moving up to the AHL level, a tentativeness has emerged in his transition game. This hesitation likely stems from a lack of confidence and inexperience at this higher level of competition. As Brunet accrues more playing time in the AHL, he will gain the poise to trust his instincts and skills again.
With his skating ability, he can maintain tight gaps on opponents, force them to the outside, and recover quickly. Making more use of his 6’3″ size could provide additional advantages going forward, though adding some muscle to his frame would help maximize his physical tools.
Brunet has proven he can successfully run the powerplay, even against tough competition. Developing into a strong penalty killer would make him even more valuable, since defensemen with the versatility to thrive in all situations are rare.
There is work that needs to be completed. Brunet fits the profile of a player you aim for in the later rounds of the draft. He presents a promising opportunity with minimal risk, but progress will require patience. The Bruins have a good track record with players who re-enter the draft, as demonstrated by Mason Lohrei. Trevor Kuntar, and Ryan Walsh appear to be on their way.
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Dom - Hockey 