Caps Sign Trevor Bruess

by J.P. on Mar 20, 2009 4:54 PM EDT

Per the team: "The Washington Capitals have signed free agent center Trevor Bruess to a two-year entry-level contract beginning in 2009-10, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Capitals expect Bruess to join the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) next week on an amateur tryout agreement.

"Bruess (pronounced BRISS), 23, has spent the past three seasons with Minnesota State of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). The 6’0", 200-pound Minneapolis native was an assistant captain for the Mavericks in 2008-09. He had 12 goals, 17 points and 117 penalty minutes in 35 games on the season, leading the team in penalty minutes and finishing tied for third in goals.

"Bruess led Minnesota State in points (30) and assists (21) as a sophomore in 2007-08 in 38 games. His nine goals included a team-high three shorthanded goals, one power-play goal and one game-winner. He won the team’s Hardest Worker Award for the second year in a row and led the team in plus/minus rating (+22). In three collegiate seasons Bruess posted 24 goals and 61 points in 110 games.

"Bruess joins an organization that has seen five former college free agents contribute with the Capitals at the NHL level this season: Jay Beagle, Sean Collins, Graham Mink, Brian Pothier and David Steckel."

Per WCHB:

"Breuss a talented player, but ran into some discipline problems that saw him sit out three games in the second half of the season because of suspension. He definitely developed a reputation with officials around the league, and it's probably best for all parties involved that Bruess moves on and gets a fresh start in a new league."

Huh. Maybe that's why you won't find his name anywhere here.

Update: Here's news of the first incident that got him suspended:

MSU junior center Trevor Bruess will be out for today's nonconference road game against Nebraska-Omaha, serving a one-game suspension for "recent in-game incidents the league feels are detrimental to the game."

Bruess, one of MSU's assistant captains, was handed the suspension Thursday, after discussions between MSU officials and WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod.

Bruess was called for three penalties last Friday against North Dakota - kneeing, boarding and high sticking - and was involved in a collision Saturday that resulted in UND's Derrick LaPoint's season-ending leg injury. Bruess was not assessed a penalty on the play.

And here's the report on a second incident, less than three weeks later:

For the second time in less than three weeks, Minnesota State men’s hockey player Trevor Bruess is being suspended for rough play

Bruess was given a five-minute major penalty for a knee-to-knee hit during the first period of Saturday’s 4-4 tie with the Huskies and, later in the same period, another two-minute kneeing penalty.

A couple of YouTubes after the jump. Also, be sure to check out WCHB's FanPost for more.

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Career stats.

by David Getz on Mar 20, 2009 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

According to WCHB Bruess was suspended twice in a month earlier this year, the second time for kneeing.

by David Getz on Mar 20, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

Well, people have said this team needs more grit…

by Scott in Shaw on Mar 20, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

When I think kneeing and multiple suspensions, I don’t think ‘grit’.

by David Getz on Mar 20, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Apparently he’s a gritty kid, though.

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by J.P. on Mar 20, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

looks like a good one to take a flyer on (no pun intended).

Is an amateur tryout agreement the same thing that Stretch had?

by bigonetimer on Mar 20, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, but Bruess’ will be with Hershey, not Washington.

by David Getz on Mar 20, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

To be clear, he’ll be on an ATO with Hershey for the rest of this season, then an SPC with the Caps starting next season, if I’m not mistaken.

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by J.P. on Mar 20, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t care for the kinds of calls he’s getting tagged for in college, but that kind of play gets accounted for and corrected higher up the chain. He’s wearing an A, so he has his team’s respect at least.

by bigonetimer on Mar 20, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

And are you excited for SDR?

by Rob Parker on Mar 20, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I assume you are referring to suspensions. No, I’m not, but I think the bar to get suspended in the college ranks is a little lower than the bigs. I hope it’s the case that those types of plays are on the back end of a maturity process he obviously needs to go through. The pro game, at the Hershey level, will help his development in that area.

I like that he appears to be an aggressive player, a plus player who can score and dish who kills PM’s and gets shorties, and that he’s a six footer, not 5’ 6"—no offense to Keith, but we’re not exactly stocked with taller C’s after Agus.

by bigonetimer on Mar 20, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

that’s taller C prospects, of course.

by bigonetimer on Mar 20, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I wasn’t specifically talking about suspensions. You said you don’t like “they kind of calls he’s getting tagged for.” SDR isn’t exactly the most upstanding citizen and his nonsense at the WJC bordered on flat out scumbaggery. If he wasn’t a Caps prospect I probably would have been apoplectic. If we need a pest then we need a pest. You can’t sign a pest and then complain that, you know, he’s a pest.

by Rob Parker on Mar 20, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

my bad, I misinterpreted your question : ) I do look forward to seeing if Delly can crack our lineup. Right now, I doubt it.

I wasn’t complaining at all about the Bruess signing, irrespective of the role he would play. We have dust for C prospects compared to our depth at other positions. I just don’t care for players, on my team or others, who make a habit out of kneeing and boarding.

by bigonetimer on Mar 21, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree. Dirty play is dirty play regardless of your uniform. I wasn’t a fan of Matt Cooke when we had him because I think he tends to take advantage of vulnerable players. But when you are talking about pests it is a fine line to walk. A good pest is an extremely valuable role on any team and it’s hard to know how much is too much. Most fans just take the stance that “if he’s on my team it’s all good.” I don’t agree with that. I think you have to find a constant standard for what is acceptable play and apply it evenly.

For SDR, I think he stays in the OHL another year and then is probably going to have to spend at least a year in Hershey, probably 2.

by Rob Parker on Mar 21, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ll second that development curve for Delly.

by David Getz on Mar 21, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Odds on this kid making the big club are hugely low. But if he does, the Caps could use a forward that’s not afraid to be a pest. Kneeing and suspensions, I agree, are going a bit far. But if he learns to tone it down, he could be valuable. If he’s good enough to play in NHL, of course.

by fat_daddyo on Mar 20, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry, but why do you think they’re “hugely low?” Have you seen him play?

I don’t think college free agents get contracts from NHL teams unless the NHL team thinks there’s a reasonable chance they may get a return…

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Mar 20, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry, should have been more specific on that point – I was speaking from the general standpoint that, on a numbers basis, most prospects don’t pan out. Way too many potential pitfalls – work ethic, injury, burnout, development stall, booze, women….the list goes on. Nothing specific in reference to this kid.

by fat_daddyo on Mar 21, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I think that’s a good point. This side of JP’s boy Delly, do we have others in the system we are raising as pests? Centers aren’t usually pegged for that duty, unless you consider a Mike Richards type a pest.

by bigonetimer on Mar 20, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I buy that centers are less flamboyant pests, but I bet AO considers Briere plenty pesty…

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Mar 20, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

yep. Sean Avery’s no slouch either.

by bigonetimer on Mar 20, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

How was this not in TEB’s game story this morning!??!?!?!

;-)

Modern Art Notes

by TylerG on Mar 20, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

“Bruess was called for three penalties last Friday against North Dakota – kneeing, boarding and high sticking – and was involved in a collision Saturday that resulted in UND’s Derrick LaPoint’s season-ending leg injury. Bruess was not assessed a penalty on the play.”

So does Joe Finley beat the hell out of him at training camp next year? I’m hoping so just for the news it makes.

by sincitycapsfan on Mar 20, 2009 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

This signing is going to exponentially increase the number of “just the tip” jokes made on this site.

by Rob Parker on Mar 20, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

I was waiting for a Jewish reader to chime in…

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by J.P. on Mar 20, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Imagine the marketing possibilities if he plays on a line with Semin….

by Yoshietree on Mar 20, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not Jewish. I’m just cultured. Or something.

by Rob Parker on Mar 20, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

by Yoshietree on Mar 20, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

I added a couple of rather thuggish YouTubes…

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Mar 20, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly what I was trying to do in the above post where there is nothing at all. Anyone out there know how to properly post a youtube video in a comment?

by Yoshietree on Mar 20, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe you need to use the embed code. Not sure if it’ll work in a comment, though; I wouldn’t fault SB Nation for stripping it.

"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri

by gotsparkly on Mar 20, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately you can’t post YouTube clips in comments. Sucks for situations like this, but if we had peeps posting YouTube clips in game threads and what not, the threads would slooooooow down.

Next time, just link to ’em.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Mar 20, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions

So why is this kid tough or signed?

I see him getting his ass handed to him, like a Matt Bradley without landing any punches, or having any heart. Oh, and then he clobbers a guy from behind. He’s tough… I guess.

by Sct112 on Mar 20, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, definitely. I sure hope GMGM and our NCAA scouts saw more than 2 youtube clips of this kid before they signed him…

by Rob Parker on Mar 20, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

what a prick you are Fehr :)

I’m sure there is more too him, but a guy that has been suspended three times for “bad” hits and seeing him get dominated like that (and that he was flat dominated in that fight) is not inspiring much confidence in his future as a “tough” in the NHL.

by Sct112 on Mar 21, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed, but he also has some skill. He led his team in points last year and even with the trouble he’s had this season, he’s tied for third on the team in goals.

by David Getz on Mar 21, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I mostly agree with you. I don’t think he’s being signed to be a “tough guy,” I think it’s more of a “pest” thing. He’s more of a Darcy Tucker than a true fighter type. So hopefully he can be a 3rd or 4th line guy that can piss some people off and chip in here or there.

by Rob Parker on Mar 21, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

College hockey fights are the funniest thing in the (hockey) world.

by David Getz on Mar 20, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

Next to Alex Semin fights, natch.

by Rob Parker on Mar 20, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve still got some post-concussion symptoms from a college fight I had in ‘03, so I’d have to disagree there.

by D'ohboy on Mar 21, 2009 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking more of the wrestling matches that happen because no one wants to throw a punch, but point taken.

by David Getz on Mar 21, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Between the two kneeing reports and these two clips, seems like this guy is a little more than a Matt Bradley. Perhaps more like the homeless man’s Darcy Tucker (for now). Whatever. I root for the laundry anyway. Welcome aboard!

by grapejoos on Mar 20, 2009 11:26 PM EDT reply actions

C-Bo recalled

Per TEB.

/tj

"Taking all common sense FAIL nominations here."

by Bald Pollack on Mar 21, 2009 6:19 AM EDT reply actions

I like this signing because it’s an indication that GMGM plans to continue finding “free” talent like Steckel and Collins in the ranks of undrafted college free agents. This particular guy Bruess may turn into nothing, or he may become an AHL contributor at best, but the pattern is promising. Even if he’s just an AHL player, we saw the value of organizational depth this year during the “Great Defenseman Injury Plague of ’08.”

Many rebuilding teams are willing to take a flyer on these types of players, because the reward to risk ratio is so high and they’ve essentially got nothing to lose. Smart teams like the NJ Devils keep signing these guys even after they’re contenders because they can supplement their (perforce) lower draft picks.

by D'ohboy on Mar 21, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

While the Caps didn’t give up anything by signing Steckel as a free agent, he is a former first round pick.

by Yoshietree on Mar 21, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

True. I guess my point was that he was just there for the taking – much like an undrafted free agent. Any of the 30 teams could have had him, and my guess is that he’d be a better 3rd line center (and certainly a better 4th line center) than most of the guys filling those spots around the league. I like the fact that GMGM and his scouts are continually scouring the league for these guys. Finding talent where others aren’t looking for it is one way that good franchises in any sport have continued success.

by D'ohboy on Mar 21, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

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