For Grayson Burzynski, earning an invite to his first ever NHL rookie camp was a great feeling, but that was nothing compared to the feeling of actually being there.
The 2005-born defenseman, acquired by the Wheat Kings this past offseason from the Swift Current Broncos, had nothing but good things to say about the way the Boston Bruins treated him and his fellow rookies off the ice. Once the actual games began, of course, other teams were under no obligation to treat him well and he had to find his footing in a hurry.
“The first period was just trying to adjust,” Burzynski said. “Going from playing against 2010s in the Black and Gold game and suddenly you’re playing against 2000s, that’s a big jump, ten years. The biggest change for me was the forechecking. Guys are right on you and you don’t have a ton of time, so scanning gets to be pretty important.”
It wasn’t long before Burzynski realized he was there for a reason, however. After posting 47 points from the blueline last season, the 6-foot-4 defenseman knew he’d come a long way and his experience against NHL-calibre prospects only reinforced that belief.
“I played really well, I just kind of kept it simple,” said Burzynski. “Coming back to play here I just take that experience, knowing I can play against those guys, it’s a huge boost for my confidence.”
Burzynski seems the most likely candidate to be the power play quarterback for the Wheat Kings, and given the talent around him and his own offensive eruption last season, it seems like another career campaign is well within his reach. Ask him about his goals for the season, however, and the amiable veteran turns to team success right away.
“Personally I trust how I can play and what I can do, but I just hope for our team to get off to a good start,” said Burzynski. “We get off with an easy schedule (three games in the first two weeks), with more of a college style schedule, lots of practicing. I think getting off to a good start with our team will be super important.”
After arriving back from Boston earlier this week, Burzynski will have some time to get used his new teammates and learn what makes this Brandon blueline tick. He noted that after the signing of Max Lavoie, the team is loaded with size and intends to make use of it.
“We have a giant group, and if we can by physical, physically imposing to everyone else, it’ll be huge for us,” Burzynski said. “No one is going to want to go into the corners or in front of the net. It doesn’t really matter who you go against on our blueline, you won’t want to get to the net or go into the corner against us.”
Burzynski did not play a preseason game due to his time away with the Bruins, so fans will get their first real look at him in Wheat Kings colours when Brandon hosts Moose Jaw on opening night this Friday.
