High energy, physical style of play, ability to adapt, tremendous work ethic.  All characteristics that describe Brandon DeFazio.  Fresh off a trip to the Calder Cup Finals with the Utica Comets and two games of NHL experience under his belt last year, DeFazio is poised to make the jump to the NHL this season after signing a two way contract with the Boston Bruins during the off-season. 

“This was the first time I was a free agent and actually got the chance to choose the team I wanted to go to,” explained DeFazio.  “Obviously, Boston is an amazing organization, an original 6 team. I was extremely excited when I knew they were interested in me. The Bruins system is about hard work and playing an honest game and that fits into the way I play hockey.”

With training camps about to open and the start of season looming around the corner, DeFazio is competing to materialize his life-long goal of a full-time role in the NHL. 

Brandon’s Father, Dean DeFazio, who himself played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, got Brandon onto the ice at an early age. “My Dad is my greatest influence and I always looked up to him.  Growing up with a father who played in the NHL is a huge advantage.  He has been through the same situations as me whether it is positive or negative.  He is someone I can always converse with and bounce ideas off of.  If you have a bad game you can always talk it out.”

DeFazio played his Junior A hockey for the Milton Icehawks and Oakville Blades, which he says was advantageous, playing in the hockey hotbed of southern Ontario.  “It was great for me getting to play for one of the most elite teams in my area. It was an advantage for sure. I remember playing with Shawn Mathias for 2 years in bantam and midget.  It was especially amazing when I played my first NHL game with the Vancouver Canucks and I got to play with Shawn, the same guy I played with when I was young.”

After going undrafted to the OHL, DeFazio turned to the college route and went on to play four seasons for Clarkson University of the (ECAC) Eastern College Athletic Conference.  “I decided to take the school route because it was important for me to get that education, to have a plan B in my back pocket. I think it gives me a little bit of an advantage because you know you always have something to fall back on.  In terms of picking Clarkson, it was a pretty easy choice at the time. I went down there, took one visit and knew it was a good spot for me.  It’s a fantastic University, the programs really worked for me, and their campus loves hockey.  On top of that it was only a four and a half hour drive from home.”

The transition from junior to collegiate hockey went smooth for DeFazio, who recalls, “We had a really good team and an unreal group of seniors in my first year.  We had David Leggio who is an incredibly good goalie.  We also had Grant Clitsome who is playing in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets.  For me playing at Clarkson was an unforgettable experience, looking up to these guys who were all successful and made it to the next level.  One year we almost advanced to the Frozen Four but lost 2-0.  That was the furthest our school had been in a while.  It was unbelievable to see so many people come out and support us during that tournament.”

Brandon fondly looks back at his time at Clarkson University. “I learned a lot about myself as a player and a person because you need to manage your time between school and hockey.  I finished all four years and received a Bachelors of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. College gives late bloomers time to develop while teaching you the little things that you can carry with you to pro.”

During his Senior year at Clarkson in 2010-11, DeFazio was scouted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. “I was fortunate for that opportunity.  We had a freshman that they came to watch and in the process they saw me play quite a bit.  I wasn’t a super highly touted prospect but they liked my style of play, saw the potential, and gave me an opportunity.”

To DeFazio, it was special situation getting the chance to start his pro career in the Penguins organization, the same organization where his father played. “My father started his professional career at the same place I got to start.  It is so cool when you can put on the same colors as your dad and he can watch and relive some memories that he had by seeing the same name on a similar jersey. I tried to wear his number 20 but that jersey number was taken so I took 24.”

Following his final year of College hockey, DeFazio enjoyed a unique experience where he played 10 games for the Penguins’ ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers before being sent to the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins where he played two games to cap off the season.  “You’re trying to graduate but it’s hard when you’re not at school. I was doing presentations and tests and everything I could do to finish school and play hockey at the same time. It was important for me for my family to see me graduate, but such a cool opportunity to play in both the ECHL and AHL at that time.”  

The following season, he was signed by Wilkes-Barre to a one-year AHL contract and also attended his first NHL training camp.  “My first NHL camp was really exciting. It started off in Pittsburgh and we did some physical testing then headed out on a bus to Oshawa, Ontario for games and practises.  The experience to wear an NHL jersey and play in Oshawa which was just 45 minutes away from my home town was just incredible. For anyone who has dreams of playing hockey, getting the chance to put on a NHL jersey is surreal. As each game went on, I felt more and more comfortable.  You get the opportunity to showcase your game against pro players.  “It was amazing to be out there and get an assist.  I passed the puck to Pascal Dupuis and he scored. I was up with NHL players and being able to contribute was amazing. You try and watch and learn as much as you can from the other players because they’re pros on and off the ice. They’re always working hard. At camp, even though they know they’ll be on the team they’re out there competing even though it’s just a scrimmage. That’s why they’re the best in the world because they demand the best out of themselves and you can see it.  To play with guys like Sidney Crosby is just incredible. As a person he is also such a genuine and humble guy.”

That 2011-12 season saw DeFazio play the entire year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL.  “My first year of pro was definitely a learning curve.  I had John Hynes as a coach who is now the New Jersey Devils head coach, who paid so much attention to detail.  We had so many video sessions and I learned a lot about being a pro player from him.  I wasn’t guaranteed to be on the team but I worked hard every day hoping to stay.  Just having that attitude of giving 110% at all times brought me a long way.”

The following season, he moved on to the New York Islanders organization and played for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in the American League.  A year later, DeFazio signed with the Vancouver Canucks where he has played the past two seasons.  On November 9, 2014, he was recalled by the Canucks and played his first NHL game, a 2-1 shootout victory over the Anaheim Ducks. 

“I had just played 3 games in 3 nights finishing up in Rochester, then we went back home to Utica.  My girlfriend and I were sitting on the couch watching the Vancouver game and I noticed a lot of guys missing.  Sure enough at 1:30am I get a call from our head coach, Travis Green who says to me ‘You’re going to go play your first NHL game in Anaheim.’  For that call up I would have to play 4 games in 4 nights but I was more worried about getting there.  I had to drive to Syracuse, then fly to Detroit then to LA and drive to Anaheim to be able to make the game on time.”

DeFazio did make it to Anaheim on time and was ready for his NHL debut.  At that moment before stepping onto the ice he explains, “You start thinking about your family, about the struggles and all the tough times that go into playing hockey on the road to the NHL.  And when you finally make it, it all becomes worth it.” 

It was also reassuring for Brandon to have his family in attendance as well. They had been at his game in Rochester the night before, but just as soon as he told them he was going to make his NHL debut in Anaheim, they also made arrangements to get to Anaheim to watch him play.

Making your NHL debut also comes with some fun from the team, who made him do a solo lap when coming out for the pregame skate.  “The whole time I was skating I was thinking ‘don’t fall.’”

“During the game, I was just thinking to myself, don’t make any mistakes, play normal, and bring high tempo and energy.  The team made it really easy and so enjoyable.  The leadership group there is great.  So many guys saying congrats and making me feel like part of the team right away.  I remember laughing, having fun and talking with all the guys. I was lucky to have guys like the Sedins and Kevin Bieksa telling me to have fun and take in the whole experience.”  

Three years in the AHL prior to making his debut really helped DeFazio find his stride at the NHL level.  “The AHL was huge for me because after three years, you know yourself as a player and you know exactly your role, what you bring to the table, and that made me confident. It helped me get to the next level.”

“The team that we had in Utica this year was really good. We knew that with Jacob Markström in net, we had a real shot. We had some great energy guys. It’s something I’ll never forget and I will always look back on. We won so many games together and really turned into a family. We created so many memories and even though we didn’t win the Calder Cup we came a long way and it was a great opportunity.” 

As the union for players in the AHL and ECHL, DeFazio holds the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) in high regard and is thankful for playing within a unionized environment.  In fact, DeFazio’s Father was a PHPA Player Representative while playing for the Baltimore Skipjacks.  “The union interests me and I try to get involved as much as I can.  They’re always looking out for players in the AHL and ECHL. Their function is to help us just worry about playing hockey and they take care of all the other things that come with that.  I appreciate all the things they negotiate for us as players, and I follow the PHPA on twitter and encourage anyone else to do so as well.”

Now with the 2015-16 season right around the corner, DeFazio knows he’ll be battling for his roster spot on the Boston Bruins, which will be a definitive moment in his career.

“After a long run to the Calder Cup Finals, this offseason has been unique.  I only had a month and a half to move my family and prepare for next season. You have to be way more disciplined because you have no time to waste. You take your two weeks off and work each day to get better.  I worked really hard this summer in preparation for next season.”

With a burning desire to make the roster and experiences to draw from, DeFazio is ready to materialize his dream of playing in the NHL.