The Windsor Spitfires have made their first move of the off-season, and it was not unexpected. The club signed left defenceman Jesse Debruyn to a standard OHL scholarship and development agreement on Wednesday.
Debruyn, now 17 years old, was a fourth-round pick by the Spitfires in last year's OHL Draft out of the Huron-Perth Lakers minor midgets. However, with a deep Windsor roster last season, he was assigned to the Komoka Kings of the Greater Ontario Hockey League (GOJHL).
"We anticipated signing Jesse, and he's done everything we've asked him to do," said Spitfires general manager Bill Bowler. "There's a lot of work ahead, but we like the future."
Development in Junior B
Debruyn acknowledged that the junior B route was beneficial for his development. "I thought I would have to play at least one year of junior B and work my way up," he said. "It's a big jump from minor hockey to junior hockey. That middle step would be a good stop for me."
With the Kings, Debruyn played a regular shift and in all situations against older, more developed players. He finished the season tied for sixth in team scoring with eight goals and 27 points in 47 games, along with 37 penalty minutes. He shared the team lead with 13 points on the power play.
"He plays with poise and he's very controlled," Bowler said. "We drafted him thinking he would play in every situation."
Earning His Spot
Debruyn's strong play earned him a spot in last season's GOJHL Top Prospects Game, alongside defenceman Grady Spicer, who played for the LaSalle Vipers and is also expected to make the jump to Windsor's roster this coming season.
"The main thing is I got to play against players that were bigger and faster," said Debruyn, who hails from Exeter. "It was tough at the start, but it got better and better and I adapted. I thought I got lots of opportunities and grew as an all-around player. I grew my offensive game, got to play the power play and penalty kill, and I just think the experience helped me know I can do it."
The season with Komoka also allowed him to mature physically. The six-foot-one, 190-pound Debruyn has grown an inch and added seven pounds since being drafted by the Spitfires.
Late-Season Call-Up
When the Kings were eliminated from the playoffs, Debruyn joined the Spitfires for a late-season stint, appearing in six regular-season games. "I just thought it was really cool," he said. "I got a lot of coaching, and the guys were really inviting, and it was fun to meet all of them. Getting that experience, I might not have played a lot because they were making a run for a division title, but it was a good opportunity, and my confidence is up with that experience."
As he heads into training camp in August, Debruyn now knows the faces and expectations from head coach Greg Walters and his staff. "Knowing that they are losing some guys, I just have to keep working and try to earn my spot," he said. "Anything can happen, and you just have to keep working."
