Montreal Canadiens Season Previews: Josh Brook

Each day in August we are taking a deeper look at 31 Habs players and previewing the upcoming season. Today, we take a look at Josh Brook, and what kind of role he will have this year.

The Montreal Canadiens drafted Josh Brook in the second round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was coming off a solid 17-year-old season as a defenceman in the Western Hockey League. Brook scored eight goals and 40 points in 69 games. He stepped up in the postseason as well scoring seven points in seven games.

Brook had played well enough in his first two seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors to be asked to represent Canada on the international stage twice. He suited up at the Under-17 during his rookie campaign and scored three goals in six games. During his draft season he was asked to play at the Under-18 Championships and scored two points in five games.

The year after being drafted, Brook battled some injuries, but put together a decent season for the Warriors. He scored just three goals but had 32 points in 45 games. Plus-minus is a bit of an outdated stat, but Brook was plus-48 in 45 games. So, he was on the ice for more than one goal for per game than goal against. That’s just counting time at even strength.

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Brook really broke out this past season. He was the top scoring defenceman in the Western Hockey League, scoring 16 goals and 75 points in 59 games. The Warriors had a decent season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs in just four games. Brook chipped in three points in a losing effort in that first round sweep.

During the season, Brook was once again invited to represent his country again, this time at the World Juniors over the holidays. He scored two points in five games, and Canada lost in disappointing fashion in the quarter-final to Finland who would go on to win the gold medal. It was not the finish Brook and the rest of Canada had hoped for. Getting so much international experience does show the elite level and consistency that Brook has displayed over the years. He has been among the top defencemen in the country at the age of 16, 17 and 19.

Brook left his Junior days behind him when his Warriors team was eliminated from the WHL Playoffs. He immediately joined the Laval Rocket where he played the final seven games of the season.

The Roblin, Manitoba native is definitely known as an offensive defenceman. Dating back to his minor hockey days with the Notre Dame Hounds in Saskatchewan he was a high scoring blue liner. The Warriors selected him fourth overall in the Bantam Draft because he was scoring near a point-per-game for the Hounds.He did not disappoint the Warriors for selecting him so early by scoring 157 points in 204 career WHL games.

However, Brook is no slouch in his own end either. The 6’1″ and 193 pound defenceman plays a very physical style of game and was counted on to play against top competition his last two seasons with the Warriors.

He has amazing stick handling skills and can skate the puck up ice with ease on every shift. His ability to start the play with a breakout pass and jump into the play in the offensive zone make him a dangerous weapon offensively. His willingness to battle in how own zone and clear the front of the net make him a pretty valuable asset in his own zone as well.

2019-20 Role

Brook dipped his toe into the AHL pool at the end of last season, but will dive right in when October arrives. He scored just one point in his seven AHL games last season, but I think it is safe to expect a far greater offensive impact next year.

The Rocket had a couple of great options on the right side of their defence last season. Cale Fleury was a rookie who improved throughout the year and earned a top shutdown role with the Rocket. He will be playing a prominent role again next season.

Noah Juulsen split last season with the Canadiens and Rocket before being injured late in November and not returning to the ice. If he returns to the Rocket, Brook may be pushed further down the lineup, at least to start the season.

I would expect Juulsen to be a full-time NHL at some point, but he may begin the campaign in Laval after missing most so much time a year ago.

If he does, Brook may start on the third pairing behind Juulsen and Fleury. It won’t take long for Juulsen to earn a recall to Montreal though, which would leave a top-four role open on the right side of the defence.

If Brook starts the year playing the way he is capable of playing, that top four role will be his. Since he is just 20 years old and has little pro experience, I would expect Brook to be paired with a veteran left-shot defender to begin the season. That could be Karl Alzner or Xavier Ouellet, depending on the amount of ice time Brook earns.

If he starts on the third pairing, I could see him playing with Alzner who hasn’t lived up to his hefty NHL contract, but would provide a steady defensive presence next to Brook who likes to carry the puck and jump into the rush.

Once Brook gets comfortable and starts to take on a bigger role, his ideal partner would be Ouellet. Ouellet was great for the Rocket after being sent down last season and was named captain late in the season. He plays a two-way role and would allow Brook to freewheel with the puck while he learns when to take risks by jumping into the rush and when to just play it safe.

In addition to a prominent role at even strength, there is no doubt Brook is going to get lots of opportunity with the man advantage. Ouellet was the leading scorer among defensemen on the Rocket last season with 28 points in 47 games. After scoring well over a point-per-game last season, Brook will get the chance to be the quarterback of the Rocket’s top power play.

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Brook won’t be ready for an NHL role just yet. He made need a season or two to learn the ropes, especially defensively and get comfortable playing against professionals. However, he will be an exciting prospect to keep an eye on and could be the top scoring defenceman on the Laval Rocket next season.

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