Canucks development camp continues and so does the invitee posts. Here are three defencemen who might have a shot at earning a contract with the Canucks.
Adam Brubacher – Defence
6’3″ – 205 lbs – Dec 13, 1995 (21)
Elmira, ON
R.I.T. Tigers (37-6-17-23)
Brubacher is one of the most intriguing invitees at camp. He’s coming off an outstanding rookie season in the NCAA with the Rochester Institute of Technology, Chris Tanev’s alma mater. Like Tanev, Brubacher was named the Atlantic Hockey Conference Rookie of the Year after scoring 23 points in 37 games.
Those 23 points were enough to make him third in scoring on the Tigers and tied for fourth in the nation among freshman defencemen. He was also effective at getting the puck on net, averaging 2.89 shots per game, 7th among all NCAA defencemen.
Brubacher is a classic late bloomer. Up until 2014-15, he played Junior B hockey for his hometown Elmira Sugar Kings in the Greater Ontario Hockey League. With hope of playing Division 1 hockey in the NCAA, he moved to the BCHL for his final year of junior hockey and excelled, leading all defencemen in goalscoring and finishing third among defencemen in points.
Listed elsewhere as 6’4”, Brubacher has imposing size, but doesn’t lack skill. He has a big shot from the point, but also has quick hands and good puck control.
Brubacher is a well-rounded defenceman, capable of playing in all situations, as he did for the Tigers, playing on the power play, penalty kill, up by a goal, or down by a goal. His coach describes him as “a very smart player” and he seems to have the physical tools to match that intelligence.
It’s really hard to avoid making Tanev comparisons. Both were completely under the radar until their final year in junior, Brubacher because he was playing Junior B and Tanev because he was tiny and had a late growth spurt. Then they both had strong final junior seasons, scoring 40+ points, and committed to the R.I.T. Tigers. Then they were both Atlantic Rookie of the Year.
Will Brubacher follow in Tanev’s footsteps and sign with the Canucks?
Aaron Irving – Defence
6’1″ – 197 lbs – Mar 3, 1996 (21)
Edmonton, AB
Edmonton Oil Kings/Everett Silvertips (71-18-40-58)
Unlike all the other invitees, Aaron Irving was actually drafted. The Nashville Predators selected him in the 6th round of the 2014 draft, but chose not to sign him in the 2016 off-season and he re-entered the draft.
He responded by absolutely erupting with the Edmonton Oil Kings. He was named captain and proceeded to lead them in every way possible, including scoring. He put up 14 goals and 43 points in 39 games with the Oil Kings before a mid-season trade to the Everett Silvertips, breaking the franchise record for career goals from a defenceman in the process.
The Oil Kings head coach, Steve Hamilton, was effusive with his praise for Irving:
“His offensive play this year has been really impressive. It comes with confidence, he’s patient with the puck, and he makes good decisions with it. He plays an aggressive offensive game.”
“He’s been an exceptional leader for us this year. Aaron’s a hell of a hockey player and he brings a lot of the intangibles that you don’t always measure in goals and assists and this year you’re seeing a spike in his offence. He’s playing with purpose, and that’s a very admirable trait for your captain.”
Irving is described as a “heart and soul” leader, with Hamilton saying that he “is not a guy that cuts corners... so when he speaks, it’s the truth and it’s honest and he leads by example.”
Those leadership qualities are impressive, but it’s his burgeoning offensive game that likely caught the eye of Canucks management. His scoring calmed after the trade to the Silvertips, largely because he moved from being a number one, go-to guy, to third-pairing minutes, scoring just 15 points in 32 games. Even considering that, it was still a strong season.
Beyond the points, Irving plays a physical, sometimes nasty game, punishing opposing forwards along the boards and in front of the net. He reportedly has trouble dealing with faster forwards, which is likely what presaged him not being offered a contract, but other reports suggest he has good mobility and anticipates the play well.
If the Canucks see potential in Irving, it’s easy to imagine them offering him a contract or, at the very least, inviting him to training camp in the Fall to earn a spot with the Utica Comets.
Aiden Jamieson – Defence
6’2″ – 200 lbs – Mar 23, 1996 (21)
Cameron, ON
Sudbury Wolves (66-3-23-26)
Aiden Jamieson won the Memorial Cup with the London Knights in 2016, then was traded to the Sudbury Wolves for his over-age season, putting up a career high 26 points in 66 games.
As you might imagine, offence isn’t this defenceman’s calling card. He describes himself as a puck-moving defenceman who “takes care of his own end first,” which isn’t necessarily what comes to mind when people think of a puck-moving defenceman.
When he was drafted into the OHL, he was seen as an offensive defenceman, with London head coach Dale Hunter describing his skating as “outstanding”: “He’s a pro skater.” That offence never quite materialized.
The Canucks would have seen plenty of Jamieson while scouting Olli Juolevi as they were teammates on the Knights. They perhaps saw the same thing that Wolves manager Barclay Branch saw when he acquired him from the Knights:
"He's got a good presence on the ice, he's got the ability to play either the left or the right side, he moves the puck well, he's a strong skater, he's got good mobility," Branch said, shortly after the deal with London. "This is a guy who played top four for a Memorial Cup champion, so that sort of says it all in terms of what Aiden can provide."
Skating and mobility is a common theme when people talk about Jamieson, which bodes well. Bill Placzek, a scout for DraftSite.com, described him as a “terrific skating rearguard” but highlights some balance issues that see him lose puck battles when trying to engage. If he can sort out those issues, he may have some potential.
