If there’s one thing that Ken Holland knows from his 22 years as Red Wings general manager, it’s prospects around the Great Lakes basin.
So he grabbed one in his first draft as the GM of the Los Angeles Kings, picking Washington Township native Henry Brzustewicz with the 31st pick in Friday’s first round of the NHL Draft.
It just took a minute for the Kings to get there, though, as they traded down from the 24th pick, acquiring the 31st and 59th picks from the Pittsburgh Penguins, before selecting the 18-year-old defenseman.
Brzustewicz played for the Memorial Cup champion London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League this past season, contributing 10 goals and 32 assists in the regular season and another goal and four assists in the playoffs.
“It’s pretty cool. You think about this moment, ever since you’re little, then to see my brother go through it two years ago, just waiting for this point. Grateful to be here, and really excited for (Friday),” said Brzustewicz in a video posted on the OHL website.
Henry Brzustewicz, middle, is congratulated after being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles. (DAMIAN DOVARGANES — AP Photo)
His older brother, Hunter Brzustewicz — also a defenseman — was the 75th overall pick in the 2023 draft, selected by the Vancouver Canucks, then traded to the Calgary Flames.
He was on hand, along with much of the immediate family, to see his younger brother get picked.
“I’m way happier for him, this time around, than mine, two years ago. I think it’s an exciting time for our family. They’re all nervous, but anything can happen. I think it’s going to be good to see,” Hunter Brzustewicz said in a pre-draft video posted on the Flames’ website.
“I think he’s just an all-around player. He’s a winner. I think he’s proven that over the last two years.”