Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk shares that he asked Bruins for trade twice

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Cooper Godin
July 19, 2024 (12:37)

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Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk shares that he asked the Boston Bruins for a trade on two occasions.

It's been nearly three weeks since Jake DeBrusk landed a seven-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks as an unrestricted free agent and recently, he sat down with the 'Cam and Strick' podcast to discuss a number of topics, including his time in Boston with the Bruins.

On the podcast, DeBrusk shared that he asked the Boston Bruins for a trade on two different occasions because he felt that it would be best if both sides went their separate ways. He future in Boston at one point seemed unclear and after he was scratched by the team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs a few years ago, he said that maybe he needed a fresh start elsewhere.

Ultimately, DeBrusk said that his teammates helped him get out of that situation and were there for him the whole way. One year after he felt that it was time to move on, DeBrusk went to the Boston Bruins management and rescinded his trade request and remained with the organization for another two seasons before leaving as a UFA on Canada Day.

"Yeah, well, I think I actually asked for one earlier. I asked for one in the summer. Just with kind of the way the team was shaping up. When it came to just where I was looking, where I could possibly play in the lineup and things like that, and kind of how the year ended. And, you know, I got scratched in the playoffs and I just thought, you know, it's time for maybe just a fresh start for both sides. You know, obviously, I'm speaking for myself, but that's kind of my thoughts going into the summer." DeBrusk said.

He added, "And, you know, at that point, I just made the call just to try to get it moving forward. I didn't think they were taking it serious. And I thought that at one point I was just playing for my career. At that point, I was just like, I think that I can add more than what is happening here. I didn't see anything changing in a sense for my own game. My game was getting worse. I was thinking about ten different things and, you know, when it came out, it was very uncomfortable. It was very uncomfortable in the rink the next day. I talked to the guys in the room, you know, and guys that were there were the biggest reason I got out of that situation, that side of things, you know. They had my back, they were with me through it all. And they were all good with me, they understood why. They knew it was just me trying to find a better fit for my career, to have a longer NHL career and a better chance at something."

DeBrusk, a native of Edmonton, Alberta, now has a new challenge ahead of him and after seven seasons in Boston, will play for a Canadian market, which comes with plenty of ups and downs, but there's no doubt he'll be able to handle the pressure.

The 27-year-old will likely start the season in the Canucks' top-six along with Elias Pettersson and potentially either Danton Heinen or Nils Hoglander on the other wing.

Source: Blade of Steel
Jake DeBrusk reveals that he asked Bruins more than once to be traded