Hunter
Brzustewicz
D · CGY · Balanced · Around average
- PAL
- 42
- WAR
- 0.4
- Value
- 53
- PTS
- 7
2025-26№ 110 / 325
Hunter Brzustewicz (Calgary Flames) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Hunter Brzustewicz
#48D
Calgary Flames
HEIGHT : 183 cm · WEIGHT : 86 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : November 28, 2004 · Washington, United States
Drafted : 2023 · VAN · round 3, pick #75
Contract : $950,000 · 2024-25 → 2026-27 · Entry-Level Contract · RFA · Signing bonus $95,000
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Calgary Flames | 34 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| 2024-25 | Calgary Flames | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| NHL totals | 35 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 6 | |
Hunter Brzustewicz: our analysis
2025-26 season: 34 GP, 2 G, 5 A, 7 PTS, 0 +/-, 16:08 TOI. WAR 0.4 (110th of 325) · PAL 42, around average.
In 2025-26, Hunter Brzustewicz, 21, posts a PAL Rating of 42 out of 100 (around average), and his WAR of 0.4 ranks 110th among 325 regulars, in the top half.
His strengths: discipline (82, well above average) and defense (63, above average). On the other hand, creation (25, well below average) and offense (26, below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+0.9); his biggest cost: EV offense (-0.2).
His WAR went from -0.0 in 2024-25 to 0.4.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 53 (fair value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Hunter Brzustewicz's story
At 15, Hunter Brzustewicz posted 111 points in 66 games for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies, setting the record for most points by a defenceman in that circuit and announcing an unusually productive offensive profile early on. His next steps were through established development routes: two seasons with the US National Team Development Program, where his minutes were more restricted, followed by a move to the Ontario Hockey League after Barrie selected him in the 2020 draft and then traded him to the Kitchener Rangers for Declan McDonnell. He had committed to the University of Michigan at age 13 but withdrew that commitment once the Rangers became interested.
In Kitchener Brzustewicz turned those early signs into tangible production. He opened the 2023 OHL campaign by leading the league with 16 points in seven games, skating on the Rangers’ top defensive pairing and quarterbacking the first power-play unit. Over a stretch that season he compiled 46 points in 28 games with a +20 rating, prompting some analysts to compare his season trajectory to those of Ryan Ellis and Brandt Clarke. He also became the first OHL defenceman to top the scoring race at the halfway mark since Bryan Fogarty in 1988.
Vancouver selected him in the third round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, and his organisational destination changed less than a year later. On January 31, 2024 he was part of a multi-player trade that moved him to the Calgary Flames alongside Andrei Kuzmenko, the Canucks’ 2024 first-round pick, a conditional fourth-round pick and Joni Jurmo in exchange for Elias Lindholm. Calgary signed him to a three-year entry-level contract on March 14, 2024, and he has been listed as a Calgary Wranglers defenceman in the AHL as a Flames prospect.
Brzustewicz’s game is straightforward to describe: an offensively inclined defenceman who can run a power play, log top-pair minutes and contribute consistently to scoring. His junior numbers reflect a player who converts early offensive promise into roles that demand both playmaking at the blue line and responsibility in his own end.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 16:08
- PP TOI/GP
- 1:00
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:11
- Pts/GP
- 0.21
- EV points
- 6
- Hits
- 24
- Blocks
- 23
- Takeaways
- 5
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 48.7 %
- Off. zone starts
- 35.0 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
Prospect value
Scout Report Center →Rank
68
among all 32 teams' prospects
Rating
93/ 100
percentile among prospects at his position
Potential
70/ 80
First line or top pair
Ceiling: 4.6 WAR from age 21 to 26
NHL probability
55 %
of playing 200 NHL games from age 21 to 26
Expected WAR, age 21-26
1.6
the most likely outcome
NHLe
14
NHL points over 82 games, from 2025-26 (AHL, 34 games)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
6between 1 and 16 (80% range)
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 5
- Games
- 25
So far: 0 pts in 0 games. The team has played 18 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.25 pts per game (last season: 0.21).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 36 %
67
Depth
- SK
- Skating
- 49
- Confidence 57 %
- ST
- Strength
- 66
- Confidence 41 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 64
- Confidence 50 %
- DU
- Durability
- 46
- Confidence 57 %
- CK
- Checking
- 74
- Confidence 41 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 79
- Confidence 18 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 83
- Confidence 41 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 65
- Confidence 36 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 74
- Confidence 36 %
- DF
- Defense
- 80
- Confidence 32 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 37
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating49
- Top speed (35 %)33.1 · 42
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)1.506 · 69
- Distance /60 (20 %)14.2 · 76
- Speed consistency (15 %)31.5 · 42
ST — Strength66
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)5.203 · 76
- Body mass (50 %)-0.704 · 63
EN — Endurance64
- Ice time per game (45 %)17.7 · 68
- Total ice time (20 %)539 · 56
- Shift length (15 %)45.3 · 66
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)16.7 · 71
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)1.923 · 68
DU — Durability46
- Share of games played (100 %)0.587 · 46
CK — Checking74
- Hits /60 (70 %)3.067 · 75
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)2.866 · 76
- Season volume (10 %)3.219 · 63
FG — Fighting79
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.911 · 79
DI — Discipline83
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.016 · 83
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.468 · 83
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.372 · 74
PA — Passing65
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.219 · 56
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.505 · 81
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.005 · 74
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.775 · 65
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.131 · 61
SC — Scoring74
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.236 · 77
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.176 · 70
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.371 · 80
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.065 · 67
- xG per shot (10 %)0.034 · 71
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)9.39 · 73
DF — Defense80
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.022 · 75
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.319 · 93
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.573 · 78
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)-0.013 · 73
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.108 · 71
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)57.7 · 78
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.566 · 61
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience37
- Career regular-season games (65 %)51
- Career playoff games (25 %)0
- NHL seasons (10 %)37
OV — Overall67
- DF · Defense (30 %)80
- PA · Passing (22 %)65
- SK · Skating (12 %)49
- SC · Scoring (12 %)74
- EN · Endurance (9 %)64
- ST · Strength (6 %)66
- DI · Discipline (5 %)83
- CK · Checking (4 %)74
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
0.4
wins above replacement
110 of 325
PAL Rating
42/ 100
Performance · Around average
142 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
53/ 100
Fair value
0.95 M$ · expected PAL 39
ProfileBalancedNeither end dominates
- Offense
- 25
- Defense
- 53
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 26
- Creation
- 25
- Shooting
- 50
- Possession
- 36
- Defense
- 63
- Discipline
- 82
- Power play
- 40
- Penalty kill
- 43
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
35/ 100
Below average
better than 35% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
11/ 100
Low
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
62/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 146 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 2
- Shot selection
- 16
- Penalties drawn
- 35
- Puck management
- 70
Defense
- Takeaways
- 11
- Discipline
- 93
- Safe zone exits
- 33
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.4
wins above replacement
0.0 to 0.8 — 90% interval
110 of 325 defensemen
+2.1 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.2
- EV defense
- +0.2
- Power play
- -0.0
- Penalty kill
- 0.0
- Shooting
- +0.9
- Penalties
- +0.2
- Average → replacement
- +1.1
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | CGY | 34 | 0.4 | 0.0 to 0.8 | 110/325 |
| 2024-25 | CGY | 1 | -0.0 | -0.1 to -0.0 | 213/314 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 135.0 km/h19th percentileleague avg. 143.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 33.3 km/h19th percentileleague avg. 34.7 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 728th percentileleague avg. 31
- Offensive zone time
- 43.5 %78th percentileleague avg. 42.3 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 128.1 km36th percentileleague avg. 214.3 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.15 km44th percentileleague avg. 5.23 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 42.7 %67th percentileleague avg. 42.1 %
- Neutral zone time
- 18.8 %96th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 37.7 %86th percentileleague avg. 40.9 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 3337th percentile | 243rd percentile | 6.1 %47th percentile |
| High danger | 00th percentile | 00th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 638th percentile | 149th percentile | 16.7 %88th percentile |
| Long range | 2140th percentile | 152nd percentile | 4.8 %66th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2025-2026 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2025-26
LAK
COL
UTA
SEA
DAL
ANA
VAN
TBL
FLA
STL
DET
NJD
MIN
PIT
NYI
CHI
BOS
MTL
NSH
PHI
EDM
VGK
SJSHunter Brzustewicz: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Hunter Brzustewicz have in 2025-26?
Hunter Brzustewicz has 2 goals and 7 points (5 assists) in 34 games in 2025-26.
How old is Hunter Brzustewicz?
Hunter Brzustewicz is 21 years old: he was born on November 29, 2004.
How tall is Hunter Brzustewicz, and how much does he weigh?
Hunter Brzustewicz is 6'0" (183 cm) and weighs 190 lb (86 kg).
Where is Hunter Brzustewicz from?
United States: Hunter Brzustewicz was born in Washington, Michigan, United States.
What team does Hunter Brzustewicz play for?
Hunter Brzustewicz plays for the Calgary Flames in the NHL, at D, wearing number 48.
Is Hunter Brzustewicz injured?
No: Hunter Brzustewicz is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Hunter Brzustewicz?
Hunter Brzustewicz produced 0.4 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 110th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 42 out of 100: around average for his position.
How much does Hunter Brzustewicz make?
Hunter Brzustewicz earns $950K for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 53 out of 100 (fair value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Hunter Brzustewicz's contract end?
Hunter Brzustewicz's contract runs through the 2026-27 season; he will then be a restricted free agent.
Is Hunter Brzustewicz overpaid?
Neither: he delivers about what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 53 out of 100 (fair value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Hunter Brzustewicz a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 110th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
How has Hunter Brzustewicz played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Hunter Brzustewicz has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists).
What are Hunter Brzustewicz's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Hunter Brzustewicz has 35 games, 2 goals, 5 assists and 7 points. His best season: 2025-26, with 7 points in 34 games.
Where was Hunter Brzustewicz drafted?
Hunter Brzustewicz was drafted 75th overall (round 3) by Vancouver Canucks in 2023.
Is Hunter Brzustewicz better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2025-26, he averages 0.20 points per game at home (4 in 20 games) and 0.21 on the road (3 in 14 games).
How does Hunter Brzustewicz perform in the playoffs?
Hunter Brzustewicz has not played in the NHL playoffs yet.
Which player is most similar to Hunter Brzustewicz?
Cale Fleury: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Cale Fleury's page →Is Hunter Brzustewicz a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 6 points in 2026-27, or 0.24 points per game.
Does Hunter Brzustewicz have siblings?
Yes: his younger brother Henry (player for the London Knights; drafted 31st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2025).
What is Hunter Brzustewicz's nationality?
Hunter Brzustewicz is American.
Where did Hunter Brzustewicz play before turning pro?
Oakland Jr. Grizzlies (111 points in 66 games, league record for a defenceman); two seasons with the US National Team Development Program (limited ice time); drafted in the 4th round by the Barrie Colts in 2020 then traded to the Kitchener Rangers; committed to the University of Michigan at age 13 then de-committed when the Rangers showed interest.
How many points is Hunter Brzustewicz projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 6 points in 25 games in 2026-27 (1 to 16 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Calgary Flames teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)