Matt Brassard

June 2019 – Vancouver declined to sign Brassard. He will now re-enter the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Cam Robinson

January 2019 – The Canucks 2017 seventh-round selection has been marinating nicely in the OHL. After being passed over as a young draft-eligible in 2016 due to injuries, Brassard has seen his counting stats jump. He was one of the most productive defenders in the OHL last season and has done well on a rebuilding Generals’ squad in 2018-19. He was recently traded to the Niagra Ice Dogs along with Bruins’ prospect, Jason Studnicka. The move should prove beneficial as Brassard wraps up his final OHL season. He remains unsigned by the Canucks but with their lack of depth on the right side, he seems like a decent bet to earn one heading into next fall. Cam Robinson

August 2018 – Selected in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft as a double-overager, Brassard has taken sizable steps in his development. After a sluggish start to his 2017-18 season, the 20-year-old took for a point-per-game in the final 42 games. His 218 shots were fourth most in the OHL for blueliners and his 51 points were good for seventh. Brassard did a lot of damage at even-strength and was a main cog in the Generals scoring. His 16 goals and his 32 primary points both sat as the fourth most by an OHL defender. 

Without an entry-level contract, it’s almost assured that the Barrie-native will return to Oshawa for a fourth OHL campaign. This shouldn’t be viewed as a negative. Due to injury issues, he has played just 157 OHL games. The Canucks are likely looking to see him continue to build on his back-half performance before signing him. Cam Robinson