LA Kings Select Defenseman Henry Brzustewicz with the 31st Pick

The script was almost a carbon copy of last year’s draft when the Kings traded back from pick number 21 to 26 and received the 57th pick in the second round — a pick they didn’t have in that round. The Kings selected forward Liam Greentree (26th), goaltender Carter George (57th), and winger James Reeder (198th) with the picks acquired in that deal.

Now, Ken Holland, Mark Yanetti, and company are hoping to have a repeat of last year by drafting players they believe can be impactful players for LA in the future.

The Kings used the 31st pick to select London (OHL) Knights defenseman Henry Brzustewicz. Brzustewicz, 18, is a right-shot defenseman and finished the season with 42 points (10 G, 32 A) in 67 games en route to an OHL and Memorial championship with London. His brother, Hunter, is a prospect in the Calgary Flames’ system.

Brzustewicz has also been teammates with fellow Kings left-handed defenseman prospect Jared Woolley for the past two seasons with the Knights and will be again this upcoming season. From what I’ve read from scouting reports and watching clips of Brzustewicz, the 18-year-old blueliner is a physical defenseman with mobility and is capable of making a breakout pass.

In most shifts, Brzustewicz plays a quiet and supportive style of game. Rotating ahead of plays, denying the middle, pushing opponents wide, and walling off the front of the net, he contains the opposition. When they put themselves in vulnerable spots, he engages, skating forward at them, and pushing them off the puck. He retrieves it and moves it to his partner, prioritizing safety over creativity. – EliteProspects

With size, puck-moving ability, and strong defensive instincts, Brzustewicz was a strong companion for Sam Dickinson on a competitive London blueline all season long. While he got pushed down the lineup as the games got more important, he still managed to contribute a critical stretch-pass assist in the Memorial Cup Finals. A larger role next season will be both a test and an opportunity. – Luke Sweeney, Dobber Prospects

Adding Brzustewicz gives the Kings another right-handed defenseman in the pipeline to an already thin side of that defense (Otto Salin and Jack Sparkes were the only two righties in the prospect pool before the pick). The Kings have seven picks on day two tomorrow (59, 88, 120, 152, 184, 196, and 216).