BREAKING: From Toronto to Boston, Bruins Confirms New Opportunity for Former Leafs Prospect Opportunity to Thrives with Bruins
Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a save against a shot from Justin Brazeau of the Boston Bruins. Justin Brazeau, who currently plays on the wing for the Atlantic Division rival Bruins, admits he has a soft spot for the Maple Leafs. “(The Leafs) gave me my chance to play pro hockey,” Brazeau shared after Tuesday’s morning skate. “I’m very thankful for that and everything they did for me when I was here in the summers.”
Brazeau expressed appreciation for the support he received from older players during his time with the team, noting that they helped him feel comfortable as a newcomer. He specifically mentioned the mentorship of Jason Spezza, who is now an assistant general manager with the Pittsburgh Penguins under Kyle Dubas, and indicated that he still keeps in touch with the former NHL star.
Brazeau’s perseverance has defined his hockey career. Selected 254th overall by the North Bay Battalion in the 2014 Ontario Hockey League draft, he became a standout player by his fourth OHL season, scoring 61 goals in 68 games during the 2018-19 season. This success earned the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Brazeau an American Hockey League contract with the Toronto Marlies. After spending a season in the ECHL with Newfoundland, he secured a spot with the Marlies in 2020-21, where he recorded just five points in 21 games.
Brazeau’s skating received a significant boost after he trained with Barb Underhill in Toronto, but the club ultimately decided not to keep him. In 2021, he signed an AHL contract with the Providence Bruins. After consistently performing well in the minors, he earned a spot in the Bruins lineup last season after signing a two-way, two-year contract in February. He made an immediate impact by scoring in his first NHL game against the Dallas Stars on February 19 and has remained with the Bruins since then.
Brazeau anticipated having over a dozen family members and friends at the game on Tuesday, including his parents and grandparents. He expressed that the Bruins’ style of play aligns well with his own preferences: “I like to get to the net, play heavy, down low. It has been a good fit so far,” he said.