Frederic Brunet: Raspberry Danish or Crème Brulée

Frederic Brunet, a promising young defenseman, has been making impressions in the hockey world with his impressive skills and potential. Born on August 21, 2003, in Gatineau, Quebec, Brunet has shown steady growth and development throughout his career. I will delve into his career journey, the likelihood of him playing in the NHL in the future, and my scouting report.

Career Overview

Brunet’s path to the NHL began in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rimouski Océanic during the 2020-2021 season where he scored once and added 8 assists in 33 games. He was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the 5th round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. It was his second go-around at the draft (after going undrafted in 2021) following a season in which he put up 12 goals and 34 assists in 63 games.

During his time in the QMJHL, Brunet’s performance steadily improved, culminating in an impressive 16 goals, 57 assists, and 73 points in his final season. He finished second in voting as the league’s premier defenseman. It took some time in the offseason of 2023, but the Bruins finally signed him to his Entry Level Contract on October 5 and assigned him to Providence Bruins to make his pro debut and continue his development.

Scouting Report

Brunet is known for his offensive game and his smooth skating. He is above average in transitioning from defense to offense and has the vision, smarts and patience to know when to join the rush. His agility, ability to slow down the game and an uncanny ability to get pucks through to the net is how he creates offence.

Defensively, Brunet knowingly put in the work to improve his game. He also put in the work to become a more physical presence and it has shown through. His plus-19 (tied for fifth in the AHL) is a testament to his improved defensive play. He is adept at retrieving pucks and eluding forecheckers, which allows him to start breakouts effectively

Likelihood of Playing in the NHL

To sum it up with one word, Brunet’s chances of making it to the NHL look “promising”. His steady improvement and his performance in the AHL indicate that he is trending in a positive way. As a defenseman, his ability to contribute offensively and his strong skating skills make him a valuable asset. Defensemen take longer and he will need to continue developing his all-around game. If he continues at his current pace of development, it is likely that we will see him in the NHL.

Conclusion

Frederic Brunet’s journey is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent. With his skill set and continued improvement, he has an NHL future ahead of him. As he continues to develop in the AHL, hockey fans should keep an eye on this rising player.

In case you missed it, here are the players we previously looked at: Michael DiPietro; Georgii Merkulov; Brett Harrison; Fabian Lysell.