As we expected, Jake DeBrusk was in high spirits following his first official day of training camp with the Vancouver Canucks.

DeBrusk skated on a line with Elias Pettersson and rookie winger Jonathan Lekkerimäki on day one and said he had some nerves during his first day with the Canucks following the seven-year deal he signed with the club this past offseason.

“It was actually pretty nerve-wracking going out there. First day of training camp, I think there was some good things and some bad things, but I had to get my feet under me, it kind of caught me off guard actually, but it was good. Guys were competing; it was fast out there, trying to get chemistry and things like that, so it was exciting.

On Pettersson and Lekkerimäki, DeBrusk said:

“He [Pettersson] fed me with a nice tap in on the first or second line rush we did. I’ve been skating here for a couple weeks with the guys and I’ve just been watching him play and read off him as much as possible. Also, I can’t pronounce his name so I feel bad, but that kid on the right side [Lekkerimäki] is pretty damn good too. He’s got a wicked shot, so I’m just excited to be a part of the line and do what I can to help make it work.”

DeBrusk joins the Canucks after spending the first seven years of his career with the Boston Bruins, who selected him 14th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

“It’s been interesting,” DeBrusk said of his first few weeks as a Canuck. “You try to get your feet running and try to see as many guys as possible and things like that. But I feel like my personality is pretty easygoing, and I can kind of figure it out. But I think coming in as early as the guys did really helped me. And I know guys like [Danton] Heinen and [Derek] Forbort, the new guys, to feel the read of the room kind of, what guys are like, and try to have some dinners and things like that. I’ve been enjoying it, it’s been actually a pretty beautiful time in Vancouver. We’ve been trying to get outside and things like that, then obviously on the ice as well, getting used to getting into the rink, where to go – I think I’ve been lost like seven times, so I’ll figure it out one of these days.”

The ex-Bruin has played with some legends over his seven-year NHL career: Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. But now, new challenges arise as he tries to get acclimated with a new centreman.

“I think just the details. I think the details of your own game, they’ve got to be in check,” DeBrusk described as what his strategies are when gelling with a new centreman [Pettersson]. “So you can’t really get chemistry with somebody if you’re not prepared yourself and playing your game. I think you’ve got to take care of your own and in terms of thinking about him, it’s just what he likes to do, how he likes to shoot. Just try to figure out everything from there.

“I’ve seen a lot of really wicked plays by him, and I’m sort of still catching up a bit but, I’m starting to figure some of it out I think. Anytime you have a player like that who’s so dynamic, you want to be just consistent for him and someone he can rely on.”

DeBrusk reflects on some successful plays with linemate Lekkerimäki on opening day:

“He [Lekkerimäki] could have got a couple more if I could have fed him some of those two-on-ones. The only time I got it to him, he actually did score. [We] were just joking around after that [saying] we should probably get off the ice after going two for two.”

When DeBrusk signed in Vancouver, there was instant excitement and belief. But those things come with a whole lot of expectations from the fan base as he heads into his first year in a Canadian market.

“It means good things, too; if people are expecting that out of you, I’m expecting that out of myself,” DeBrusk stated. “I can only control what I do on the ice and play. I’m not going to put numbers on anything, but I’m just really excited to get started. I personally don’t really care how I do personally in terms of statistics. If we’re winning, that’s why I’m here, to help. But in saying that, I feel like I can add some elements to the team. There’s obviously lots of great players already but I think I can fit in pretty seamlessly. That’s why I chose to come here.”

On whether he thinks it’s going to be a big switch, switching from Boston’s system to Rick Tocchet’s system, DeBrusk said:

“There’s definitely different verbiage, but I kind of understand the way he’s thinking, to be honest. There’s obviously going to be change; it’s a different type of system and things they’re looking for. I’m learning on the fly, but I don’t necessarily think it’s A to B, it’s kind of more closer than I’d imagined. I agree with the philosophy.”

DeBrusk carried on that thought by speaking about what he had heard about Tocchet before signing with the Canucks:

“I just heard around the league from other players that played for him and just kind of his respect around [the league]. You know, lots of good things; how he took over the city last year with the team and everything. I have a lot of respect for him as well. I understand that he’s a hard coach but at the same point, he’s going to bring the best out of me. So I was really excited to join in.”