In February, Sportsnet’s Louie DeBrusk had the unique opportunity to interview his son, Jake DeBrusk, rinkside when Jake and the Boston Bruins visited Edmonton’s Rogers Place. This annual pilgrimage is always a special moment for the DeBrusk family, as Jake gets to play in his hometown while his father, Louie, covers the game as a broadcaster.
During the interview, the father-son dynamic was on full display, adding a personal and heartfelt touch to the usual pre-game commentary. For Jake, who grew up watching his dad play in the NHL and now has carved out his own successful career with the Bruins, these moments in Edmonton hold extra significance. Louie, a former NHL player himself and now a well-known analyst, couldn’t hide his pride as he spoke with Jake about the game and the season.
This rinkside interview showcased not only the professional respect between the two but also the deep familial bond, making it a memorable highlight for both the DeBrusk family and hockey fans watching.
Jake DeBrusk’s heartfelt sign-off with “Thanks, dad. I love you” during the interview with his father, Louie DeBrusk, resonated with many, highlighting the close bond between the two. Jake, who grew up in Edmonton as a devoted Oilers fan, has always been a beloved figure in his hometown. However, his recent decision to sign a seven-year, $38.5 million contract with the Vancouver Canucks has changed the dynamic, especially considering the fierce rivalry between the Canucks and the Oilers.
The move to Vancouver, which followed a tense seven-game playoff series between the Oilers and the Bruins last spring, has likely altered some of the local affection for Jake. The intensity of that series, combined with his decision to join a team considered an “enemy” by many in Edmonton, means that Jake might not be as universally loved in his hometown as he once was. Nonetheless, his skills on the ice and the memories he created as a fan favorite in Edmonton will always be a significant part of his legacy there, even if the current sentiment is mixed.
Jake DeBrusk’s move to the Vancouver Canucks marks a significant change in his career after spending seven years with the Boston Bruins. Despite his strong playoff performance last spring, where he tallied 11 points in 13 games and his overall contribution of 266 points in 465 regular-season matches, the Bruins didn’t make a strong effort to retain him. DeBrusk acknowledged that the decision to leave Boston, a city he grew to love, was difficult but inevitable. He felt that the “writing was on the wall” regarding his future with the team.
The decision to sign with Vancouver was influenced by both personal and professional factors. DeBrusk mentioned that he was fairly confident that Vancouver would be his next destination during his first experience with free agency. This move aligns well with his personal life, as his girlfriend, Mia, is in a medical residency in Calgary, which is geographically closer and more convenient for them both.
Although the transition to the Canucks hasn’t fully sunk in for DeBrusk yet, he’s begun settling into his new reality by scouting homes in Vancouver and familiarizing himself with the team’s facilities. Interestingly, the Canucks’ colors remind him of his junior days in Swift Current, adding a layer of nostalgia to his new journey.
DeBrusk has chosen to continue wearing the number 74 with Vancouver, the same number he wore in Boston. He briefly considered switching to 29, the number his father, Louie DeBrusk, wore during his NHL career, but decided against it since Louie never played for Vancouver. Jake reserves that number for a team his father played on, further highlighting the strong bond between them.
Jake DeBrusk reflected on the intense playoff atmosphere last spring, as his Boston Bruins faced off against the Florida Panthers in the second round while his hometown Edmonton Oilers were battling the Vancouver Canucks. Despite being focused on his own series, DeBrusk managed to catch some of the action between Edmonton and Vancouver. Growing up in Edmonton, he was well aware of the heated rivalry between the Oilers and the Canucks, and he could appreciate the significance of the series going to a Game 7.
DeBrusk, who has experienced six Game 7s during his time with the Bruins, understood the pressure and excitement that come with such high-stakes games. He considered attending a Stanley Cup Final game between the Oilers and Panthers but ultimately decided to watch the game at someone’s house instead.
Jake also shared a nostalgic memory from 2006, recalling when his father, Louie DeBrusk, took him to Game 6 of the playoff series between the Oilers and the Detroit Red Wings. He vividly remembered the excitement of Ales Hemsky’s game-winning goal, which was set up by Sergei Samsonov. Jake was only nine years old at the time, but the experience left a lasting impression on him, fueling his passion for the game.
Jake DeBrusk empathized deeply with Connor McDavid’s experience after the Edmonton Oilers’ heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. As someone who has personally endured the agony of losing in a Game 7, DeBrusk understood the intense emotions that come with such a defeat, especially when it happens on the opponent’s home ice with the celebration in full swing.
When McDavid chose not to go out and receive the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, preferring to stay with his devastated teammates in the locker room, he faced criticism. However, DeBrusk stood by McDavid’s decision, recognizing the profound weight of that moment. “I don’t know if you can fully know how that feels for every player, especially a player like Connor,” DeBrusk said. “You’re not yourself at that moment. You see the Stanley Cup going on the ice for the other team. That’s devastating. I don’t blame Connor. I don’t think he cared at that point.”
DeBrusk also pointed out that the criticism McDavid received was misplaced, as people who haven’t experienced the pain of such a loss may not fully understand the emotions involved. For DeBrusk, McDavid’s decision to stay with his team in such a difficult moment made perfect sense, showing his commitment as a captain and leader.
Jake DeBrusk is anticipating a significant role with the Vancouver Canucks, potentially playing alongside either Elias Pettersson or J.T. Miller. When asked about his preference, DeBrusk mentioned, “My guess would be Pettersson, but it revolves around chemistry and how training camp goes.”
He praised Pettersson, highlighting his elite status in the league: “Obviously, Pettersson is a top 10 player, maybe top five when he’s on, so much skill.” DeBrusk also acknowledged the strengths of J.T. Miller, describing him as “a great two-way player.”
DeBrusk’s versatility and ability to adapt will likely be key in determining which line he ultimately lands on, but he seems excited about the prospect of playing alongside such high-caliber teammates in Vancouver.
Perry Pearn, 73, is currently serving as the head coach of China’s national hockey team after a successful tenure with Japan’s team and a brief stint with Italy. Pearn’s appointment with China came unexpectedly, especially after his recent coaching experience with Italy alongside former NHL colleague Mike Pelino, stepping in when Mike Keenan, Italy’s head coach, temporarily left due to heart surgery.
Pearn explained the unexpected opportunity with China, noting the shift in the team’s composition: “The Chinese thing came out of the blue. They had a national team with all these double passport (U.S. or Canadian and China) guys, but they’ve moved away from that.” This change came after Pearn’s Japanese team managed to defeat China’s national team, which featured many players from the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star. The Chinese Federation took note, particularly after the country’s failure to qualify for the 2026 Olympics in Italy, leading them to offer Pearn the coaching role.
Perry Pearn, a veteran of two decades as an NHL assistant coach, signed a one-year contract to coach China’s national hockey team. He will be splitting his time between Beijing and Harbin, focusing on developing homegrown, young players. His October will be spent in China, with plans to participate in the IIHF Asia Cup event in Kazakhstan, competing against Japan, Korea, and China. The team is also set to visit Ontario for a month to play against university teams, and they’ll compete in the IIHF Division IB World Championship in Estonia in the spring.
Former Oilers defenseman Matt Benning, recovering from hip surgery in January, attended Pearn’s camp and appears to be in good shape, positioning himself to be ready for the San Jose Sharks’ season opener in three weeks after playing only 14 games last season.
Pearn reached out to former Oilers assistant coach Dave Manson to see if he would be interested in joining him as an assistant in China, but Manson, currently back in Saskatchewan, was unable to commit. Similarly, Pearn’s former NHL colleague Mike Pelino couldn’t join due to the recent passing of his father.
Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews were recently spotted on the ice with the Munich Red Bulls, as seen in a social media post. The appearance highlighted the stark contrast in pay scales between the NBA and NHL. For example, the Golden State Warriors just signed Steph Curry to a one-year deal worth $66 million, while Leon Draisaitl, one of the top players in the NHL, is nearing the end of his eight-year, $86 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
Former Oilers team president Bob Nicholson is currently in Denmark, where he is serving as the IIHF’s point man for Olympic qualifying.
Reid Schaefer, a local talent and former first-round draft pick included in the trade that brought Mattias Ekholm to the Oilers, has been attending Perry Pearn’s sessions. Schaefer appears to have slimmed down and possibly gained some speed after his first professional season with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.
Mike Benning, younger brother of former Oilers defenseman Matt Benning, also attended Pearn’s sessions. Mike played for the Florida Panthers’ AHL affiliate in Charlotte last season and was a “Black Ace” during the Panthers’ playoff run, leaving him conflicted during the Stanley Cup Finals.
