Canucks: Jake DeBrusk Played Peacemaker Between Pettersson and Miller
Jake DeBrusk’s debut season with the Vancouver Canucks was anything but ordinary. Thrust into the middle of a simmering feud between star centres Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, DeBrusk quickly got a crash course in the emotional undercurrents of Vancouver hockey.
He arrived with high hopes, joining a team fresh off a strong campaign. The Canucks had momentum, a dynamic two-way system, elite talent down the middle, a fan-favorite coach, and the allure of Vancouver itself. DeBrusk was brought in to help push the team further after their near-upset of the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton Oilers—and he delivered on the scoresheet, notching a career-best 28 goals.
But beneath the surface, things unraveled. Miller was hampered by a lingering injury from training camp, while Pettersson struggled with form and confidence, possibly linked to offseason knee tendinitis and a perceived lack of conditioning. Tensions between the two stars escalated, and with the team’s system built around them, their struggles dragged the Canucks down.
DeBrusk, whose locker sat between Miller and Pettersson, found himself in an awkward position—literally and figuratively. In November, following a heated moment after a game against Nashville, Miller took a personal leave from the team. DeBrusk, still new to the group, admitted the situation was intense and unsettling.
Despite the turmoil, DeBrusk remained upbeat. Known for his affable nature, he bonded with both players—dining with Miller and spending time with Pettersson. “I was almost the middle man,” he said, reflecting on his role in the fractured dynamic.
Though he wished for more time with both teammates, DeBrusk acknowledged the reality of NHL life: “Trades happen all the time.”
The Canucks have since reshaped their blue line, while the forward group remains largely intact. Management is optimistic about Filip Chytil stepping into a second-line centre role, even after previously signaling a need for reinforcements.
DeBrusk sees promise in the team’s defensive depth and goaltending—especially if Thatcher Demko returns to form. “We need more goals,” he admitted, “but I’d rather have that problem than no defence. We’ll just have to win some 2-1 games.”
