60: Brew’s Crews (Interview with Hunter Brzustewicz)

0:00Justin: In this very special episode of the AudPod. Game recaps, game previews. Reminding you all this is a Jackson Parsons podcast and an interview with the one and only Hunter Brustevich. Hey, Andrew,

0:23Andrew: you do this every season now. Every season you break the format once.

0:30Justin: Just once. Andrew, with no time for banter.

0:34Andrew: Roll the intro.

0:43Hunter Brzustewicz: Welcome to the AudPod where we're

0:47Justin: talking Kitchener Rangers hockey with the AudBalls themselves, Andrew and Justin. Take it away, Fe. Kenny. Yes. Hunter Brstevic interview coming up. But first game recaps. Andrew. We're doing this holiday break style. Coming back with one game recap a person. So we have four games to recap. We had Tuesday, February 10th against London. Friday, February 13th against Kingston. Saturday, February 14th against Ottawa and Monday February 16th against Peterborough. I'm taking the first one. London 52 win. The London killer kept his name the first period. The Rangers dominated but just couldn't quite get one in until the final minute when Bilecki passed the charade to get the first goal of the game. After that it's just a lot of Sam O'Reilly scoring a lot of goals. Second period. The Rangers did end up the second period, 4:2. It still felt close though. Going into that third period. It felt like London might London a little bit and come back and tie up the game. But no. No. Sam O'Reilly said no. With two goals, two assists. He got a point at full strength, a point on the power play, a point shorthanded and an empty netter point. And Sam O'Reilly insane. This game never was really close. Even though when you play London you can't really say that. But here we are. Kirsch played amazing. Okay, that's London. Next up, Kingston 42 win. Andrew. Our 2000 franchise win.

2:25Andrew: Our 2000th win. Yes, as a franchise, great milestone and a great second period. It was a four goal second period for the Kitchener Rangers that put them over the top in this one. It was dominant from start to finish. They outshot Kingston 39 to 20. Matthew Anonofsky had a pair of assists in this one. Jack Pridham had a goal and two assists in this one. So did Christian Humphreys and Cameron Arquette also had a multi point game with a goal and an assist. It was a dominant in all three facets of the game. The the face offs were lopsided, the power play clicked and the penalty kill only had one opportunity and Kingston scored. However, they stayed out of the box for the majority of the game. So I feel like they were much more disciplined than Kingston in this game. And there probably could have been some, some more power plays for Kitchener. I thought watching this one, ultimately I thought this was a strong game. Out of Jason Schaubel He stopped 18 out of 20. I didn't have a problem with the two late goals that, that Kingston scored. One being on the power play and one being like right at the end of the game with the extra attacker. So it was kind of both, you know, neither were truly even strength. It was a great effort is exactly what you need on first leg of a eastern road trip. So that's in a nutshell. The Kingston the 2000th win.

4:00Justin: There it was. And then we headed down the road to Ottawa for a 2 nothing win which Andrew and I of course last week previewed as the game to watch because you know this could be a potential finals matchup in the, in the ohl. Ottawa obviously playing extremely well. Although we might have put them on a little bit of a slump after this one. So this was a goaltenders duel. I mean all hats off to Fedorov because he played insane. The Rangers gave it to him. They put up 33 shots on him. He only let in one. We did win two nothing because we did get the empty netter. But this game was insane. A notable line of. Because there wasn't not very much scoring and there really weren't that many penalties either. One line of note that I wanted to to bring up was Lamb, Vermeulen and Lechar looked unreal in this game. It was really effective. Obviously Ottawa is a great team. They have really great defensive core. I felt like this was our depth game where they came out, the depth came out and that's what really was the difference maker. Obviously Sam O'Reilly again scored both goals. So they didn't score that goal. But it was the goal that was. They were the line that was needed and really challenged Fedorov the most in game from my perspective. Then we headed to Peterborough. Andrew.

5:27Andrew: Yes. For Jack Pridham 100th OHL game in Peterborough, this game was somewhat similar to the game I, I recapped against Kingston where I thought that the Rangers, you know, more or less dominated this game. Unfortunately they didn't come out on top in this one. It was similar shots. 39, 18 in this game. Obviously this was one of those games where I think people are going to point to Kersh's save percentage because he stopped. I think it was 16 of 18. But it was, you know, it was a tight game. The Rangers put on a lot of Pressure. Unfortunately, they did not score on the power play and they went 0 for 5. And that was the difference for me. You can say, well, he's got to stop more than 15 to 17. But no, it went to a shootout. He gave you a chance to win two. Two. You got to score more than two goals when you have five power plays. That's the bottom line because that's what they would have won this game if they just score on a power play. They love that second period. the Soo strong. They outshot the Peach 16, five in the second period. They just couldn't solve Easton Rye more than they did. This was what the story of the game was. Easton Rice stood on his head. He stopped 37 of 39. It was nice to see Alexander Bilecki score his eighth of the year. It looks like he's going to wind up in double digits in his draft year. As with goal scoring as a defenseman, which is incredible, Adam Novotny is very good. He scored his 26 and Kieran Walton had the shootout winner. He's also an incredible hockey player. Of note. Matthew Andonovski and Jack Pridham assisted Christian Humphreys So there's, I think there's a bit of chemistry there with at least, you know, that defenseman. And those two forwards and Tanner Lam and Haeden Ellis had the assists on the Balecki goal. So it's good to see the depth scoring. They just couldn't score on the power play. That's, I mean, you know, I, I, I don't want to hammer it more than that, but that was pretty much what it was. I do want to just note that our boy Matthew Anonofsky has 11 points in 15 games. So that's, that's all I'm gonna say there. He's doing pretty, pretty, pretty good. So ultimately on this, on this road trip, they get five points out of six. You can't really ask more than that. Going to the, going east, I thought that that Ottawa win was a statement win and that was probably Kirsch's one of Kershaw's best games of the year. So to me, you can't point to goaltending at all anymore. I don't know if we reversed AudPod cursed that because he center of the week when we said, is there a controversy? Is there a controversy? There's no controversy.

8:22Justin: No, no. The Kirk played unreal. Shabel also had an unreal game on these. Yeah, like, I mean, they're good go.

8:31Andrew: They have the stats that they have, they have the stats that they have. I think we're a little bit spoiled maybe by the save percentages of Jackson Parsons, that it's just, it's not realistic that everybody's going to have those save percentages. And he was an overager, remember, so it took a little while for Jackson Parsons.

8:47Justin: As and also like the Rangers are playing so solid defensively that okay, a goal or two goes in, that's going to happen because a good opportunity is a good opportunity. But when you look at save percentage, it's the lower shot numbers that should be more substantial. And that's just the team not letting shots go to the goalie.

9:10Andrew: The bottom line is in a seven game series, if you're out shooting teams almost two to one, aside from a total meltdown by both your goalies, because I'm assuming if one had a meltdown and you pulled one and put the other in, you're going to win a seven game series if you're, if you're dominating to that degree. So yeah, there's going to be games where you go 0 for 5 on the power play against a weaker opponent and you don't win. But realistically it never goes to the shootout in overtime or in, in playoffs, so you don't have to worry about that. Right. So it's, it's, it is what it is. Like I said, I, that this was a statement kind of thing and, and obviously the OHL did as well, putting them second in the power rankings behind only Barry. I mean Barry, I will say Barry is an absolute wagon like right now. But I, to me, I, I, I think the Rangers are the best team in the league right now.

10:08Justin: So in the best time of year. So I,

10:13Andrew: yeah, I, I, I think it's all coming together for them.

10:16Justin: Okay. Speaking of AudPod curse.

10:18Andrew: Wes. Yes. Maybe perhaps a, a AudPod curse. I mean it's a good curse though. Western Cameron commits to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I believe it's the Minutemen. I believe it's the Minutemen. And I'll say that because I actually once spent a little over a week on campus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

10:38Justin: Fun fact.

10:40Andrew: Doing a comedy improv workshop that I lived in the dorms and everything. So I have, I have something to talk about with Weston the next time I see him. But yeah, the, yeah, it's, it's great for him. We don't know when he's going, obviously. Uh, I'm just gonna assume.

11:01Justin: No, no, no, no, no, no. Two, two more years. Come on, Andrew. Two more years. I can't I can't let him go. I can't.

11:10Andrew: I mean, either way, it's the whatever is best for him and his development. That's what I hope happens. So if that's staying in Kitchener, I'll be thrilled. And if it means, you know, he has more opportunity and succeeds quicker and gets to his dream of, I'm sure, the NHL through the NCAA route, then, you know, so be it.

11:30Justin: Okay, we got three games upcoming this week. For the first time ever, we've been caught up on games, which is amazing. There are no games between our recording and when this podcast is going to come out. That's going to go out again the window next week because on Friday, on Friday we host at the Aud home again, the Windsor Spitfires. And then on Saturday we head down to Saturday, February 21st, we head down to Erie for a game in Erie. And then on Wednesday, February 25, we head over to Guelph for I think our last. Our last. I think the Erie and the Guelph game are both of our last meetings with these teams for the season, which are both eight series. So it's been a, it's been a long road. These ones that Highway 7 feels well traveled. First game is Windsor. Obviously this is the most consequent, consequential game of the week. Windsor's tied with Flint for the top of the west division. Obviously the Rangers are sitting on top of the Western Conference, but only by one point. So beating Windsor will sort of solidify at least Windsor not being at the top of the division or the conference. Obviously Flint is. Controls their own destiny. But yeah, anyways, Windsor, they're sitting, you know, 34 wins, 12 losses, 5 overtime losses and 2 shootout losses and they're 7, 20 and 1 in their last 10. So we beat them twice. We have one more meeting with Windsor after this one, but we have beat them twice and we beat them since the trade deadline twice. So this is like real matchups. You know, this, this could be a potential third rounder. If something really weird happens, it could be a second rounder, but I don't think so at this point. But this could be a potential third round matchup to win the West. So, you know, Windsor, we got to, we got it just like Ottawa last week. We got to beat him this week. Then we had to. Erie.

13:28Andrew: Erie. We got to talk about Evan Headrick He had a couple goals last week in a game. He looks like he's really coming to his, his own there. But I mean, you know, Erie's dead last. They're not making the playoffs. You know, the Aud points behind Owen Sound for the last playoff spot.

13:47Justin: It's.

13:47Andrew: It's not happening. So at this point, you know, if it started today, the Rangers would play Owen Sound and that would be. You know, I think that I don't see an upset happening obviously with that Tommy Kut I think Erie is, you know, significantly weaker. So they can't get a trap game here. No, they can't end up with a trap game.

14:12Justin: You know, teams with nothing to lose are the most dangerous teams. Like, it can be most dangerous for just purely scoring. It can be most dangerous for morale. Could also be most dangerous for, like, physical play. So, yeah, just, you know, these games, you always have to be cautious and ready. Like, you can't. You can't go out expecting to win. And then we head down the Highway 7 to Guelph. I'm sure Moose is there trying to find parking already. I had a friend text me today. They were at a Guelph Storm game last week and I asked her how the parking was and she said atrocious. How did you know? So, you know, I'm starting to collect my data.

14:55Andrew: They're gonna find out. I know. I'm telling you, the. The only person I. I know in Guelph is a die hard Guelph Storm fan. And he told me himself, the parking is atrocious. So all these people on the Internet telling me otherwise, I don't know why

15:07Justin: my friend would like, I don't know.

15:09Andrew: And the only time I went there, we had to park and walk. So I don't know.

15:15Justin: This is.

15:15Andrew: Okay, we'll see.

15:16Justin: We'll see. Rangers have dominated Guelph all season. Obviously Guelph sort of threw in the towel for this year as soon as they got the Memorial Cup. So they're. They've been sinking in the standings, but, you know, they're. They're a potential first round matchup, you know, potential first round upset, second round matchup for the Rangers. So, you know, it depends how things go, but yeah, that's. That's where things are.

15:42Andrew: I mean, they could. Realistically, I think whoever plays them, if it's Kitchener, Flint or Windsor in the first round, there's no chance that Guelph gets out of it. But Guelph could also end up as the eighth seed as well. It's all pretty close and bunched up down there. But ultimately, again, this is just another team that's looking to beat you because you've been kind of manhandling them all Season. So I'd really. I really want to see the foot on the neck type thing where it's. It's never close. You know, don't start, you know, killing clock up. Two goals, start killing clock up.

16:19Justin: Yes.

16:19Andrew: That's what I want to see.

16:20Justin: Sure. Yeah. Yeah. So that's our games coming up this week. Some quick news around the ohl. I promise to tell you why we're still a Jackson Parsons podcast. Because he's back in the.

16:30Hunter Brzustewicz: Ah,

16:33Andrew: he certainly is. About time. Yes, it's about. Bottom line is. Well, we. We said it. We said it that like, you know, there's another goal. There was another goalie in the AHL that's like 30 years old with the same stats. I'm like, what are they doing over there? Yeah, it's. It's just. I guess probably just to get him some more seasoning, but hopefully he's done in the East Coast Hockey League and especially in Texas. I'm throwing all the shade at a small city like Allen, Texas. I'm sure it's good for character building and whatever to play hockey down there, but let's keep our boy in Belleville and then eventually in Ottawa.

17:15Justin: If there's ice there, he can play hockey there.

17:17Andrew: Okay, there's ice there. Oh, there's ice.

17:25Justin: And of course, we want to shout out some news from alumni. Andrew. What's. What's Reed.

17:30Andrew: Vlad. Yeah, Reed Valad is the all. I shouldn't say the all Tommy Kut he is like third overall all time with. With 48 points in a U sports season. So he finished the season with 27 goals, 21 assists, 48 points and 30 games played. This kind of came out of nowhere because he. He didn't have that many points in the last two seasons of his U sports career. Like, it, like even. It wasn't even close. I believe he had in the teens last season, so this was an offensive explosion. Of course, he's Caledon boy, so it's pretty cool to see him succeeding in Canadian U sports. And he led obviously all scorers this year by a fair, fair margin. That's great. Congratulations, Reid.

18:29Justin: Congratulations, Reid. And now is the time that we've been teasing since the beginning of the episode and since Tuesday on Instagram and TikTok and YouTube. I don't know.

18:41Andrew: Yeah, TikTok for sure.

18:44Justin: We have our Christmas present from John Safaro. An interview with the one and only Calgary Flame, Hunter Bruce Devich. Hey, Andrew.

18:57Andrew: Hey, Justin.

18:58Justin: Hey, Hunter.

18:59Hunter Brzustewicz: Hey, Justin.

19:00Andrew: Hey, Hunter.

19:01Hunter Brzustewicz: Hey, Andrew.

19:03Andrew: We're here with a Kitchener Rangers Franchise record holder. We're with a Calgary Flame. We're with an incredible all around defenseman with a scoring touch. We're with the one and only Hunter Verstewich.

19:20Hunter Brzustewicz: I appreciate that intro. I mean, I don't know about these accolades, but we're a kid.

19:24Justin: We're a Kitchener Rangers podcast, and you hold a Kitchener Rangers franchise record. That's pretty impressive all in itself. It's an old franchise.

19:32Hunter Brzustewicz: Fair enough, Fair enough.

19:33Justin: In case anyone is unaware, which I don't think anybody is, but Hunter Per Sevich does own the most points in a regular season for the Kitchener Rangers by defenseman. So pretty impressive record that year in particular.

19:45Andrew: You were on an absolute tear from the beginning. I saw that. It was like you had like 16 points in like seven games to open that season. It was unbelievable. Did you start to, to realize that you were closing in on a record or was it just kind of like, you know, you're just playing hockey and it's just happening for you?

20:01Hunter Brzustewicz: I mean, I think both. I think anyone that says they're not paying attention to those things are lying to you. That year was an unbelievable year. We had a great, great teammates, great coaches, and I think they really set the tone from the start. Every single day we came to the rink with a smile on our faces, and I think that's the most important part. A lot of us to bond as a team outside of the rink too. And yeah, it was just. We won a lot of hockey games too, so it was fun. Obviously we didn't go as far as we wanted, but the whole year was just. It was a blast.

20:32Justin: That was, that was the first year with, with new coaching staff, right? That was. Yeah, first year.

20:37Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, yeah, it was, it was, it was good. It was different just because, like, I mean, obvious he doesn't speak English very well at the start. So it was, I think it was different for him. I mean, and then. But he did a great job. It was, it was, it was a great, great year with him.

20:51Justin: And, and did the systems and, and the way that you guys played hockey change a lot from the year previous with the, with the previous coaching staff or, or how did that manifest into what became this magical season?

21:03Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, I think, I think so. Like, obviously he said the systems and stuff, but I think it was just like the tone right away from the start of camp and the first practices, he really set the tone and let us know we're here for business. And I think that really set us up for a great year.

21:19Justin: And how much time did you have to spend in the sauna with him.

21:22Hunter Brzustewicz: We didn't have a sauna. We weren't lucky enough back then, but now they do. So I bet he's in there all day. But, I mean, I would be in there, too.

21:32Andrew: Yeah, absolutely. Well, we will mention that you are a Michigan man. You grew up in Michigan, obviously. I've got the Nicholas Lidstrom jersey here behind me just to honor Hockeytown. And you being a Michigan boy growing up in Michigan, you kind of missed the Wings dynasty through no fault of your own. You're just a young guy, but you did see, you know, you were around for at least one cup. Tell us about that kind of hockey town, that culture in Detroit and Michigan and how that affected your decision to get into hockey and your brother, of course.

22:11Hunter Brzustewicz: Well, I think growing up as a. As a kid, like, we didn't watch hockey at all, really. And then once I think we started playing hockey, we got season tickets to the Wings. I don't know if we had them before or not, but we always went to games, me and my brother. I remember where we sat at the Joe, all the stories, you know, watching Licht, watching, you know, crazy games and stuff. Like, it was pretty cool. And I think, like, Detroit, as a sports town in general is. I would probably say it's underrated just because it's. It's very passionate. And I'm very passionate as well. So growing up and going to those games, it was. It was really cool.

22:53Andrew: Justin is going to dominate the second half of this conversation with his Calgary Flames talk. And I am from Edmonton, so I'm going to kind of just take a back seat. So before we get into that, I want to talk about your Detroit Lions fandom. I know from Sean Furfaro who put us into touch, he told me that you and your brother are huge Lions fans. So tell me a little bit. I want your. Your analysis. Last year was an incredible year for the Lions. This year they took a little bit of a step back. I know Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator, left the team. Give me your analysis. What do they need to do in this off season going into next year to take the division back?

23:28Hunter Brzustewicz: Really putting me on the spot right now. But you know what? I think the last couple games of the season was big. Honestly, losing those games, obviously, I would never root for them to lose, but getting the fourth place in the division, I think helped a lot within next year's schedule. Because if you looked at the third place teams that they would have to play versus the fourth place teams, I think It's a big difference. And I think that's really where the Lions, you know, I wouldn't say got screwed because that's just how it is. But there are schedules very hard this season and the first 10 weeks was just like crazy with the away games on who they played and stuff. So I mean, I like the hiring so far. I mean, I didn't know who the, who the new offensive coordinator was, but as long as, I mean trust in Dan Campbell, that's all it is.

24:20Justin: So I did. I wanted to add on. So you were talking about that it was between Windsor and Kitchener. What I can probably make a quick leap that Windsor is the closest to home. But why was Kitchener the other option in the ohl? Like, obviously there are other good teams in the ohl. So what was the. Aud made Kitchener that. That other option?

24:43Hunter Brzustewicz: That's a great question. To be honest, I still don't know the answer to that. So I wouldn't have a correct answer. But I mean, I would think it's just like, I mean who they are and you know, how they've develop so many good players and you know, what they have to offer. It wasn't really my understanding of who they were as a franchise and I, and at the time like I, I didn't know much about the ohl, so it was more my, my agent doing that kind of stuff with picking who would, you know, be. Be an option. So I wouldn't have an answer on exactly why, but I would guess on, you know, there's so many things about the Kitchener Rangers on what make the Soo special.

25:23Justin: They pass the vibe check. It sounds like.

25:25Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, I think so. I think so.

25:27Justin: Hey. Hey. Yeah, that's good for us.

25:28Andrew: Yeah, it is really good for us. Yeah, definitely. And I know like it was kind of a shortened OHL career because obviously the circumstances for you, but it's funny, we both are from Alberta. We didn't get into the market until just, you know, briefly before your time in Kitchener. And we didn't really start following the Rangers until your record setting year. Just tell us a little bit about your arrival into Kitchener and maybe a memory of the Aud and playing hockey at the Aud in, you know, your introduction and how special it is as a player.

26:11Hunter Brzustewicz: It truly is. And you know, everyone, it just seems like everyone's on top of you when you're playing. I would say an introduction. I mean walking out even just for like the first preseason game was pretty cool just because I haven't played in front of that many fans and before that. But I would say the. One of my best memories of playing in the Aud was game four when we beat Windsor when we were the Aud seed and they were the one seed. I remember like, like the crowd was just unbelievable. And I remember being on the bench when the, when the seconds were counting down and everyone was just going nuts. It was pretty cool. It really was.

26:53Andrew: Yeah. That was my third Rangers game, so.

26:56Hunter Brzustewicz: Oh my gosh.

26:57Andrew: I had been to one game in the regular season where you guys beat Kingston like six to nothing. And it was apparently like the largest home crowd since like, like Covid. And then I went to your. I went to both playoff games because the first playoff game, that was, that was. I was like, first of all, I was going down thinking, okay, they're the eighth seed.

27:17Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah.

27:17Andrew: You know, this was a Windsor team that had like Shane Wright on it. I was like, okay, like, what, what is this? And, and then of course, Pinelli was. Was tossed from the game at some point. So it was, it was truly a kind of, you know, on paper at least, a David and Goliath matchup. But the energy of the Aud is what got me. And I was like, this is like, I live. I live walking distance to this place.

27:43Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah. It was unreal.

27:46Andrew: And it continues to be. Last. Last playoff run was unbelievable. And Justin and I were in awe of, of the passion with the crowd. Obviously you mentioned, you know, that was kind of a storybook year for you. It ended a little bit earlier than you wanted, but that, that upset was incredible. And just talk about maybe some of your teammates that year. You played on a pairing a lot of the games with future captain and now former captain Matthew Andonovski and you played with some of those guys. Cameron Reid was a young guy who came in just curious if you saw anything in them that would suggest that they both be captain material and what it was like, you know, being part of a defense corps with those guys.

28:31Hunter Brzustewicz: It was great. I mean, Reider it was like. It's funny, you know, he walks in as a rookie and you don't really think he's a rookie. It looks like he's, you know, he's a second, third year guy already. And we were saying the. The Andrew time, the previous team that won the Memorial Cup a long time ago, they, when they were at our game against Kingston, I can't remember what year, year it is and I don't want to be wrong, but they came in, it was like the 40th year anniversary, I want to say. And we were telling Reider because, you know, at the time, we thought next year that Kitchener was going to get the Memorial Cup. So we were telling them the whole time, like, hey, this is going to be you. This could be you in 40 years that you're going to be the captain bringing back a championship to the city. So we always. I think we always knew, like, right away that he was going to be the captain at some point. It was just a matter of when. And Ando, I mean, I. I didn't know he was gonna be the captain last year, was it, so. But I mean, obviously playing with him, he was great. He always brought the energy. He was a leader on our team, and I can't say nothing but good things about him. And he was a great partner to have. He always was telling me, you know, if I need to do my thing or whatever, I'm here to back you up and here to protect you. So, yeah, he was. I was really close with him as well.

29:47Justin: You guys definitely had, like. I mean, probably what helped make the magical season a magical season was the fact that you two had, like, great chemistry, at least from a fan perspective on the ice. The two of you worked really well together. And, like, yeah, it seemed like Ando could cover any holes and you were. You were doing the offensive magic and all that sort of.

30:08Hunter Brzustewicz: It really was.

30:09Andrew: Yeah, it was that. That thunder and lightning pairing. Yeah, like, that's. That's what you needed.

30:15Justin: So.

30:16Andrew: Okay, so your. That was your Kitchener career. You get drafted 75th overall, third round with Vancouver, and you don't sign, and then eventually you are traded to Justin Calgary Flames. I say that as if Justin has an ownership stake.

30:34Justin: He's given them a lot of money

30:35Andrew: over the year in his mind.

30:38Justin: Former.

30:38Andrew: Former season ticket holder Justin Born So take us through. I know it's. It's. A lot of it is, is the agents, you know, handle that kind of stuff, but you don't sign with Vancouver. Is. Is. Is as a player, is there any, like, doubt in your mind with that, or is that kind of a strategic move and then you end up in Calgary, part of, like, a huge trade? I mean, that's. That's kind of cool. I mean, I don't know, maybe not for you as a player, but as a fan, I, I would think in my mind, you know, having two premier players with Kuzmenko and Lindholm going, that's. That's kind of an interesting thing to be a part of.

31:14Hunter Brzustewicz: It really was. And I, you know, what I was. I was saying before the trade deadline and the NHL. And before that trade even happened, I was saying to myself, I was like, it would actually be really cool to be part of an NHL trade. Like, to be a part of an NHL trade would be any time of year, career, especially if I've never in the league yet. It would be pretty cool. And you know, with the thing with the Vancouver is funny because, like, there was a couple people on Twitter and wherever saying that I didn't want to sign or anything. And it truly wasn't that. It was. It was just because I was a late birth and things behind the scenes, like with me sliding a year, it just wouldn't have worked out. So we didn't. We just didn't like that part of it. So it wasn't that I didn't want to sign with Vancouver. And then obviously I got traded to Van. Sorry, to Calgary. And that was. It was pretty cool. And in the moment, like, I saw that Lynn Holm was going to be traded, but I had no clue that I was going to be traded. And then even my agent called me that day and he's like, hey, just keep your phone on you. And I'm like, I'm like, am I part of that deal? And he's like, he's like, I have no clue, but you just got to keep it on. And then about a minute later, Patrick Alvine of Vancouver texting me if I could call, and I was like, oh, wow, this is really happening. And then I think that the Andrew night I was probably on the phone with hundreds of people just, you know, teammates, family, and whoa.

32:43Justin: They're.

32:44Hunter Brzustewicz: They're asking me what's happening? And I'm talking. I have no clue. And I was just in shock. But yeah, it was pretty cool. And then, honestly, this is a good story. So I was on the phone with Trent and Jackson Parsons. Obviously those two are. Those two are animals themselves.

33:02Justin: But we made the mistake of interviewing them together on the pod. Yeah.

33:07Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, I think so.

33:08Justin: Yeah. That was rough on us.

33:10Hunter Brzustewicz: It was funny because Jackson's a big music. I mean, they both are, but Jackson's a big music guy. And that night we were just on the phone with each other and Jackson was like, hey, like, Michael Buble is a big, big Vancouver fan. And he's like. He's like, message him. And I'm like, should I. I'm like. I'm like, why? So I'm like, all right, screw it. And the Soo I messaged him and I was just like, quick message. I was like, whatever. And then I woke up to a response from him and I was like, dang, that's pretty cool.

33:43Andrew: You gotta, you gotta throw your weight around, man. When you get, when you're in those circles, you got to, you gotta like I said, get it while you can.

33:49Justin: Flex your influence. No problem, right?

33:51Andrew: Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.

33:54Justin: Then I'd love to hear like the, the signing process of Calgary. This is what I'm very interested in.

34:00Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, yeah, I think, I mean obviously like the dates and stuff. March 1st is like those dates that you can sign. So pretty soon after that we were just, I think, I mean my agent was going back and forth with the Aud trying to figure out contract wise and whatever. But then my agent came to me and was like, hey, and I believe in my agent and trust him 100. I would trust him with my life. So whatever he suggests I would do. And yeah, he came to me, called me and he's like, hey, I'm actually going to be in Kitchener today. So the day that this, the contract was going to be sent over. So it was nice of that he could share that moment with me. And we went out to dinner and celebrated and he was, he just suggested that we take that contract. So yeah, it happened pretty quick, but yeah, it was, it was pretty surreal and happening. And then yeah, all the boys still didn't know for I think a day or two. But yeah, it was, it was pretty

35:01Justin: cool because it was, it was like you guys were right at the end of the Kitchener season like when you signed there was because March 1st, that's, that's the last month of the, the, the regular season in the ohl. So you guys are, you know, you're still pushing for, for playoff position and I think you guys were locked up by, by that point, but, but maybe not your position locked up. So you're still, you're still in pretty intense games, plus getting ready for playoffs. Like that's got to be a lot of things on your mind in a couple days.

35:30Hunter Brzustewicz: Well, for sure. Yeah. Like it's funny because like, you know when, when guys sign in the ohl, like even for me I felt like, like the, you know, the first game after signing, it's like there's some added pressure to that and it's like, yeah, you got to do something in the game because it's like if not these guys are going to give it to you. So I think every, even, even everyone that signed in the ohl, it's like you're, you know, you're pretty big time now in the ohl, so it's like yeah, you got to put up, put up a show or something. So I can't remember what happened my first game after, but yeah, it was some added pressure for sure.

36:06Justin: I, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure you scored a goal because I, I was at that game.

36:11Andrew: So do you know what game?

36:12Hunter Brzustewicz: Do you know who we were playing that game?

36:15Justin: I don't. I was so excited that you, that you signed with Calgary. I bought, I bought your jersey that night. So I was like, yeah, you're like

36:21Andrew: a. Oh, yeah, yeah.

36:22Justin: Like, this was you. Like, a little bit of AudPod lore is like, I, I, you're, you're, you're kind of like the inspiration for like, like why the AudPod ended up starting. Because I was like, yeah, Andrew really wanted to do this. And then I, and then I was like, I was into it. And then you signed with Calgary and I was like, I was like, oh, this is, like, so damn exciting.

36:41Andrew: This is. Yeah, this is a, this is a sign, right, for him to get on the, The Rangers bandwagon is that there. That the Rangers are producing elite Calgary Flames talents. That was the.

36:51Justin: Soo the finals.

36:52Andrew: Pretty stoked, in fact. That jersey made its way to when Sean Furfaro's family came out and watched your game.

37:03Hunter Brzustewicz: Oh, that's right.

37:04Andrew: Okay. That's just his jersey.

37:06Justin: Oh, okay. Okay.

37:08Andrew: Hey, and Hunter, it came back unsigned, and we don't blame you for that.

37:13Justin: No, no, no, I blame Sean.

37:15Andrew: I don't. I blame Sean.

37:17Hunter Brzustewicz: Hey, you know what? You know what I was just gonna say if. I mean, obviously depends what happens with my season and stuff, but if I'm home, home and the Rangers are still in it, like, I'm for sure coming up for a game. So if you guys, like, if I can meet you guys that day or something, that'd be great.

37:32Justin: Absolutely.

37:33Andrew: Absolutely.

37:33Justin: 100.

37:35Andrew: Believe it or not, Hunter, they let us in the press box now.

37:37Justin: Yeah.

37:37Hunter Brzustewicz: So.

37:38Justin: Oh, wow. We, We.

37:42Andrew: Yeah, we're, We're. We're pretending at least to be big now.

37:46Hunter Brzustewicz: Can I interview. Can I interview you guys? Like, you guys?

37:49Andrew: Absolutely. You can. There's.

37:51Justin: Yeah, speaking of which, which, we know that you. That was.

37:55Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah.

37:56Justin: The video with you and Sean where you interviewed Sean. Like, that was the other thing. It was like, not only is this guy great at hockey now, a Calgary flame, he's, like, got a real personality.

38:07Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, that video. That video surprisingly went pretty viral.

38:11Justin: Yeah, it totally did.

38:12Andrew: Yeah. So, okay, so you're in Calgary. One of the things I wanted to talk about is Nazem Kadri, he was obviously an OHL player, played in Kitchener and London, like your. Your brother. So maybe we can the Aud in. Have you talked to him at all about his experiences in the ohl, or is it just kind of, like, part of, like, this, like, you know, unspoken brotherhood?

38:33Hunter Brzustewicz: No, no, we do talk about it. And, you know, we've been up to a couple dinners with me and him, and that always seems to come up, and then we're always chatting about, you know, who's the better, you know, better franchise and stuff, and I'm obviously all over kisser and whatever, but then they have the winning, so it's like, I guess I can't. I can't say too much. But yeah, yeah, we always talk about, you know, spots in Kitchener, whatever it may be. And, you know, he. He always said nothing but great things about Kitchener. So, yeah, we chat about it a few times, for sure.

39:08Andrew: That's awesome. That's awesome. So before we wrap things up here, I want to talk about having a brother that plays for the bitter rival London Knights. Like, what's that like in the family dynamic, like you said? Yeah, they have the winning, but I'll Sam O'Reilly We got the heart. We got the heart and soul here in Kitchener.

39:26Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah.

39:27Andrew: So tell. Tell. Just tell me what that's like. You know, like, it's. It'd be like. It'd be like if your brother was to be, you know, in the Battle of Alberta. That's what I try and tell people. It's such a bitter rivalry out here between Kitchener and London. What was that like, you know, at. At Christmas or, you know, at the. Aud the family dinner table?

39:45Hunter Brzustewicz: You know what? It hurts, to be honest, but, you know, I think my. My first year in Kitchener, he came to a couple games and, you know, he was wanting to come to Kitchener, and obviously they didn't take him, so he got to London. But, I mean, now I find myself sadly rooting for the nights, and I. I know it hurts myself, but at the end. At the end. At the end of the day, it is family, and obviously I would choose family. Yeah, I would root for my brother anytime. So that Memorial Cup last year in the final, I went to a restaurant and I was cheering for him. But then. Because I could say that. No, I. I could say that because I'm out of the league. But then, you know what? That first. That first year, or. Sorry, the second year I was in the league and they went to the Memorial Cup in Saginaw, I will Sam O'Reilly was not rooting for them.

40:37Justin: Good. Okay, good. So some processing time. Yeah. Yeah.

40:41Hunter Brzustewicz: I mean, I was still in the league then. I didn't want them to. To win the. The year I was in the league, but at the same time, like that, beating us twice in the playoffs and I think it was 8 to 1 in the two years that I was in the series against the Aud wasn't a great feeling. And for him to always, you know, for.

40:59Andrew: For now.

40:59Hunter Brzustewicz: For now. To have the upper hand. For now. Yeah, it's done. But it is what it is.

41:07Justin: He's a. He's a pretty good player. Like, you know, I'm a. Tell us. Tell us how you're better than your brother Henry.

41:14Hunter Brzustewicz: Brett, not so much.

41:15Justin: Raheim Kirkland wins the draw. Clap on Brevich. That one deflects in.

41:21Andrew: And that's the first NHL goal for Hunter Bustevic.

41:29Hunter Brzustewicz: I mean, I think. I think you should ask him that, because he would know. But. No, it's funny. He's having a great season. I'm really proud of him. But I think we're. I think we're similar in a way, but we're also very different. And I think I have more offensive upside, but he's also got the, you know, the longer reach and the defensive side with his bigger side. So, you know, I think he's done a tremendous job and getting better, and I think this year he's taken big strides. But, yeah, it would. It would be really cool to play against them again, for sure.

42:08Justin: Oh, yeah.

42:08Andrew: I have a feeling that'll happen.

42:09Justin: Yeah, I think that's coming up.

42:11Andrew: Yeah, I have a feeling that'll happen for you. Speaking of playing against opponents, I would be remiss if I didn't ask you, as an Oilers fan and talking about the. the Aud of having mixed feelings and kind of being confused. I watched not the last game you played against Edmonton, the game before that. There was a. There was a specific play. I think you already know where I'm going with this. Connor McDavid, former OHLer and pretty solid hockey player. Pretty. Pretty decent. Hler. Justin Wood might disagree, but he's coming in. I rewatched this play today. He's coming in full head of steam doing what he does. We've seen incredible defensemen in the NHL, you know, end up on highlight reels. You played that situation perfectly. I know it happened so fast, but if you have a thought process in that moment where you. You didn't take a penalty, you didn't get away with a penalty, not even a controversial call.

43:06Justin: No.

43:07Andrew: You got you played it perfect. I sat there being like, oh, like, it was weird because it was like. I was like, oh, okay, good. Yeah, he played really. He did that well. And then I was like, wait a minute. No, he's a Flame now. I can't. I can't be rooting for him. So take me through that on ice. Like, you know, it's Connor McDavid. He's so fast. That's the thing that he is, right. If he's nothing else, he's so incredibly fast. How do you play that in your mind? And was that intimidating? Like, have you had a moment going up against anyone? Not necessarily Connor McDavid, but going up against anyone where you're like, oh, man, look who that is across from me on the rink right now?

43:41Hunter Brzustewicz: I think so, yeah. I mean, the first. I'll start with that question, just because that first game that I was up this year was against Detroit. So when I was looking over in warmups, I was way more nervous in that game than I was my first game last year. Looking over and see, like, Kane, I was like. And then even just. Even just seeing, like, the Red Wing logo, I was like, wow, this is. Was unbelievable. And then my heart was, like, just pounding through my chest.

44:09Andrew: Right.

44:10Hunter Brzustewicz: But for this year, against that play against McDavid, it was. We were on the power play, and we turned it over. Obviously, he was in the box, and obviously his. Once he gets his crossovers going. And I realized I needed to get back. And it wasn't. It wasn't that I could skate backwards, because if I kept skating backwards, I was just done. So I thought to myself, I was like, I need to get back. So I changed the forward. And then I was like, you know what? In the moment, I was like, all right, I got him. I felt confident. And then he cut behind me, and I was. And I turned around, and he was already, like, a step past me, and I was like, oh. And then I. And then I got a stick on it, and I was like, all right, that one felt good. But, yeah, yeah, yeah, in the moment, it was a little bit. I was confident at first, actually. And then the second part, I was like, oh, boy. And the Aud then I got a stick. So it was lucky enough that I got to him.

45:07Andrew: Well, I'm. I'm glad. I'm. Honestly, as a Rangers fan, I was very glad that you didn't end up on a highlight reel. I've seen, like I said, I've seen great defense, but I've seen, you know, Morgan Riley has Some all time low lights and he's a great defenseman and like yeah, there was obviously he's changes direction so quickly but that kind of steadiness and that confidence that you have on the blue line in those high pressure situations, that's being taught talked about in Calgary by the media, by influencers on online. They're really talking about how it's been a standout season. Justin, you can speak a little bit more to that as somebody in the Flames kind of world.

45:47Justin: Yeah, I mean I don't know what else to say about that. Sorry, I'm still just thinking about that play. It was so good, man.

45:56Andrew: Yeah, it was like I said it was, you know, game recognized game. Those moments I was like okay, well yeah, that's good because you could have been baptized. Yeah, it could have been baptized.

46:07Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, exactly.

46:07Justin: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay.

46:09Andrew: It was awesome.

46:10Justin: We're talking Battle of Alberta. I, you, you, you. You said you grew up or you when you started playing hockey in your, in your formidable years you were going to Red Wings games at the Joe, you've played at the Aud and now you're playing in the Saddle Dome which is like one of the oldest barns in the. In the NHL. Like Battle of Alberta in, in. In Calgary against London at the Aud Chicago Detroit in the Joe. Like what do you got? What, what, how, how is it compare?

46:45Andrew: How does it all stack up?

46:46Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, you know what, it's. It's all pretty, it's all pretty good. Obviously the, the Calgary one with the Edmonton, it's. It's basically like a Edmonton home game

46:56Andrew: at the Saddle Dome.

46:57Hunter Brzustewicz: So. Yeah, that one stings a little. And I mean same thing with London at the Aud They. They travel and fill it up pretty well too.

47:07Justin: Yep.

47:08Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, I would say that the Detroit one in Chicago, I can't remember too much but the London and Kitchener one, it was always very fun playing. Obviously that we hated each other and the fans would always, you know, get chance going and then I mean here in Calgary it's pretty, it's pretty fun to play too. Especially just in the locker room before all the guys know what's at stake and they know, you know, it's just like the rivalry, we hate each other. So it's pretty fun to play and the crowd loves it too.

47:42Andrew: Yeah. Before you, and before you let you go like was only recent that there was that, you know that Battle of Alberta where the goalies fought an all time highlight. Did that ever process in your mind before you started playing for the Flames and playing Edmonton? Did you Think, oh, man, I'm going to be a part of the Battle of Alberta. I know, you know, from Detroit, so maybe that doesn't carry as much weight as like, you know, like back in the Soo Detroit and Colorado in the Western Conference, which could be a fun Stanley cup matchup this year. You could actually, because now Detroit's in the East. But. Yeah. Did that ever factor into your mind that, like, man, I'm going to be part of, like, a legendary rivalry?

48:22Hunter Brzustewicz: You know what? Probably not just as much. No. Just because I'm not. I've never really been out here, so I guess I never really understood it. It. But when I saw that video of the goalies fighting, like, I don't remember if I saw it. I probably did. But, yeah, it never really crossed my mind that I would be a part of it like this. And I mean, now. Now it's like, you know, you look forward to these games.

48:43Justin: Yeah. Yeah. It's always sad. Like, I. I think the last one's done now for the season, but it's like, it's always sad when the Battle of Albertas are done for the year. Even. Yeah, even. Even if the. Even if the. The two teams in the rankings are not. Not evenly matched. It's always a fun game. Like.

48:58Andrew: Oh, it's always good. And what I will say, as an Oilers fan, as much as we, you know, hate the Flames, you are. You are like our brothers, and we hate you like a brother. It's a rivalry like that. It's, you know, it's more fun when both teams are both competitive and. And we do like that. So secretly we want you guys to be just good enough that it's more. More impressive to beat you. So that's what I will say.

49:23Hunter Brzustewicz: So fair enough.

49:23Andrew: So give. You know, there's always some bad apples, you know, in every. Every fan bas, but truthfully, die Hard. I, you know, had season tickets through the decade of darkness. We do want the Flames and Oilers to be competitive every year.

49:36Hunter Brzustewicz: That's fair enough. And hopefully we can get back there to definitely.

49:40Justin: You will.

49:40Hunter Brzustewicz: You will.

49:40Justin: I mean, you took the season series this year, so. You did. Yeah. This has been unbelievable. Thank you, Hunter, for joining us.

49:48Hunter Brzustewicz: I appreciate you guys and sorry about the. The connections here, but good times. Fun talking to you guys.

49:54Andrew: Yeah, we're just. You know what, we're just blaming it on that you're a defenseman and. Oh, we had similar problems, so we're just blame it on defenseman.

50:01Justin: That's what's defenseman in the AudPod do not mix. Here we go. But great conversations.

50:07Andrew: Great.

50:08Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, it was good. It was good. And hopefully, you know, maybe in a few months, if I'm home and, you know, I come up for a game, we could. We could chat and meet each other. That'd be great.

50:16Justin: Yeah, absolutely. Great. Yeah. Let us know when you're. When you're in the. In the air, because we'd be happy to meet up.

50:21Hunter Brzustewicz: Yeah, that'd be great.

50:23Andrew: Unreal. Thanks, Hunter.

50:24Justin: Yeah, thank you, Hunter.

50:25Andrew: And we're back.

50:27Justin: What a lovely guy. I. Maybe, maybe. I don't know if he drinks a beer, but. Good dude, I'd have a beer with him. He seems cool.

50:33Andrew: I think he said that he wants to interview us, so I think when. If and when he comes back to Kitchener, we'll have to get some content where he interviews us because he actually inspired the first and only physical. Odd. Potty. So we've got to get an interview from Hunt.

50:50Justin: Yes. 100%.

50:52Andrew: A career in media. A career in media. I mean, post playing.

50:55Justin: It's almost too. It's almost too bad that he's so good at hockey because he could start getting into media, like sooner rather than later. Like a third co host on the AudPod.

51:04Andrew: Yeah, but listen, when you're not good at. When you're not good enough at hockey and you get into media early, you get bitter and you write bad articles.

51:12Justin: Oh, right. Okay. So have your career. Your seat's ready for you, Hunter, in 20 years when you Reider Absolutely.

51:20Andrew: Play it AudPod.

51:23Justin: Okay, well, that's been an episode, so of course we have to thank Ken Born our director of branding and marketing. That's him right there. Papa Born. A rare appearance from Papa Born. We got to shout out our prodigal producer, Liam the phenom Tim. That was a really echoey tale, Tim. I'm sorry that you have to fix all of that. I have a very echoey room this week, Tim. And of course, a big special shout out to JJ for doing the voiceover on our intro. Thank you, jj. We Sam O'Reilly road tripped last week and listened to Theoddpod, so that was cool.

52:04Andrew: Loved that.

52:05Justin: Andrew, how do you find us on

52:07Andrew: the social medias at TheOddpodcast, on TikTok and Instagram and you can just search in the search bar on YouTube. Theodd pod or Kitchener Rangers. We're one of the first results.

52:18Justin: Wow. So cool. And Andrew, as always, you can find

52:22Andrew: us at Kitchener Memorial Auditorium.

52:26Justin: the Aud the Aud Odd. Odd. Odd. Odd.

52:31Hunter Brzustewicz: Papa Born. Come back. Come.