Gilbert Brulé
Canadian centre drafted sixth overall by Columbus in 2005.
Gilbert Jean Marco Brulé is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the NHL and other leagues. He was selected sixth overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, starting his NHL career there before a trade sent him to the Edmonton Oilers ahead of the 2008–09 season.
Brulé came up through the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Vancouver Giants. He was the first overall pick in the 2002 WHL Bantam Draft, a selection originally held by the Prince Albert Raiders and traded to the Giants. After one game with the Giants in his draft year, he spent most of that season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Quesnel Millionaires, where he put up 57 points in 48 games and earned the league’s rookie-of-the-year award for his conference. He joined the Giants full-time in 2003–04, tallying 60 points in 67 games and winning the WHL’s Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year—the first major WHL award for a Giants player. That made him a nominee for the CHL Rookie of the Year award, which went to Sidney Crosby. Brulé and Crosby both made the CHL All-Rookie Team.
The next season, Brulé finished third in WHL scoring with 87 points, setting a Giants single-season record that later fell. He played in the 2004 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge as a WHL All-Star and scored the first hat trick in the history of the CHL Top Prospects Game in 2005, earning player-of-the-game honours for Team Cherry. He was also named the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year for taking more high school credits than any other WHL player.
At the 2005 NHL draft, Brulé was the second-ranked prospect by International Scouting Services early in the season and the WHL’s top prospect in NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary rankings. By draft day, he was ranked fourth overall by ISS and fifth among North American skaters by Central Scouting. Scouts described him as an outstanding skater with great vision and a natural goalscorer. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Columbus on October 3, 2005, and made his NHL debut two days later against the Washington Capitals, picking up an assist in a 3–1 loss. In his second game, he fractured his sternum on a hit from Calgary’s Roman Hamrlík and missed 17 games. He returned on November 20 and scored his first NHL goal that night against the Phoenix Coyotes.
- Born
- January 1, 1987
- Draft
- 6th overall, 2005 NHL entry draft
- Nhl debut
- October 5, 2005 against the Washington Capitals
- First nhl goal
- November 20, 2005 against the Phoenix Coyotes
- Nhl games with blue jackets
- 139
- Nhl points with blue jackets
- 28 (10 goals, 18 assists)
Lore & Background
Brulé played major junior with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for three seasons. He was named WHL rookie of the year in 2004 and later led the Memorial Cup in scoring as part of the Giants' WHL championship-winning season in 2006, earning the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as tournament leading scorer. He was selected sixth overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, remaining the highest-drafted Giants player until Evander Kane in 2009. Brulé made the Blue Jackets' lineup in his first training camp and signed a three-year entry-level contract on October 3, 2005. He made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals in the season opener, notching an assist. In his second game, he suffered a fractured sternum after a hit from Calgary Flames defenceman Roman Hamrlík, missing 17 games. He scored his first NHL goal on November 20 against the Phoenix Coyotes. Ten days later, he broke his leg during a game against the Minnesota Wild. Upon recovering, he was returned to the WHL on January 13, 2006, allowing the Blue Jackets to retain the first year of his rookie contract. Returning to the Giants, he was named WHL Player of the Month for February with 12 goals and 23 points in 13 games. He led the WHL playoffs in scoring with 30 points in 18 games, earning the airBC Trophy as playoff MVP. At the 2006 Memorial Cup, he recorded 12 points in 5 games and was named to the All-Star Team. In the 2006–07 season, Brulé made the Blue Jackets' roster and tallied 19 points (9 goals, 10 assists) over 78 games. In his second NHL season, he recorded 9 points (1 goal, 8 assists) over 61 games and was sent down to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch for a month. He was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for forward Raffi Torres on July 1, 2008.
Reader's Guide
Brulé's significance lies in his high draft pedigree and his role as a foundational prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets during their early years. Selected sixth overall in 2005, he was expected to become a core offensive player, but his NHL career was marked by injuries and inconsistency. His fractured sternum and broken leg during his rookie season limited his development, and despite showing flashes of skill, he never fully met the expectations of a top-six forward. After being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 2008, he spent three seasons there before being placed on waivers and acquired by the Phoenix Coyotes for the 2011–12 season. He later played for the ZSC Lions in Switzerland. Internationally, Brulé represented Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal. His junior career with the Vancouver Giants remains his most celebrated period: he was the WHL rookie of the year, playoff MVP, and Memorial Cup scoring leader, and was later inducted into the Giants' Ring of Honour. His legacy is that of a talented player whose professional career was hindered by injuries but who achieved notable success at the junior and international levels.
Did You Know?
- Brulé was the first Vancouver Giants player to win a major WHL award, receiving the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year in 2004.
- Brulé was named CHL Scholastic Player of the Year after taking more high school credits than any other WHL player.
- He won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
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