Gilbert Brulé

Gilbert Jean Marco Brulé (born January 1, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played parts of 8 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, and Phoenix Coyotes. Outside of the NHL, Brulé has also played for ZSC Lions of the National League A (NLA), as well as, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, KHL Medveščak Zagreb, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, Traktor Chelyabinsk, Kunlun Red Star, and Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), and the Unia Oświęcim of the Polska Hokej Liga (PHL).

Internationally, Brulé played for Canada and won a bronze medal with them in 2018.

Career
Before playing in the NHL, Brulé played parts of one season with the Quesnel Millionaires of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and parts of three seasons with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Brulé had a successful time with both of his teams. With the Millionaires, he was awarded the Bruce Allison Memorial Trophy for being the most outstanding rookie during the regular season. With the Giants, he was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team and was awarded the Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy for WHL rookie of the year. By winning the trophy, he became the first Giants player to win a major award. He finished his rookie season scoring 25 goals and recording 60 points in 67 games. The next season, he was named to the CHL Second Team All-Star team and WHL West First All-Star team. He was also awarded both the CHL Scholastic Player of the Year award and the Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy for also being the WHL's top scholastic player. He finished the season by breaking a Giants record for point-scoring, ending the season with 39 goals and 48 assists for 87 points. The next season, he helped the Giants during their playoff run. They defeated the Prince George Cougars, Portland Winterhawks, and Everett Silvertips. They defeated and swept the Moose Jaw Warriors four games to zero to win the franchise's first Predient's Cup and advance into the 2006 Memorial Cup playoffs. He was awarded the AirBC Trophy for being the most valuable player in the WHL playoffs. The Giants were eventually defeated by the Moncton Wildcats 3–1. He was awarded the Ed Chynoweth Trophy for being the top goal scorer in the Memorial Cup tournament and was also named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. On January 28, 2011, the Giants honoured him and inducted his name into their Ring of Honor adn he is considered to be one of the best players to ever play for the Giants.

He was drafted 6th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2005 NHL entry draft. On October 3, 2005, Brulé signed a three-year entry level contract to join the Blue Jackets. On October 5, Brulé made his NHL debut in a 3–1 loss against the Washington Capitals. During the game, he recorded his first NHL career point, assiting on a Dan Fritsche goal. He ended up having to miss 17 games after fracturing his sternum after a hit by Roman Hamrlík. On November 20, Brulé scored his first NHL goal against David LeNeveu in a 5–1 loss against the Phoenix Coyotes. Only 10 games after returning from injury, he broke his leg and was out of action for months.

On July 1, 2008, the Blue Jackets traded Brulé to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Raffi Torres. He was sent down to play for their AHL- affiliate Springfield Falcons. On August 12, 2009, Brulé signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Oilers. He ended the season scoring 17 goals and recording 20 assists for 37 points in 65 games which was new career-high for him. On July 27, 2010, Brulé signed a one-year, two-way contract to stay with the Oilers. On June 24, 2011, it was reported that the Oilers intended to trade Brulé and a fourth-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Ryan Smyth but the trade never happened because Brulé was still injured and not cleared to play. On October 2, 2011, the Oilers placed him on waivers and intended to buyout his contract.

On January 10, 2012, Brulé's contract was claimed off waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played parts of 2 seasons with the Coyotes.

On August 13, 2012, Brulé signed a one-year contract to join the ZSC Lions of the National League A (NLA) after the NHL went into a lockout. He played 14 games with them and recorded 6 assists. On November 30, 2013, he signed a one-year, two-way contract to rejoin the Oilers. After the Coyotes attempted to send him sown to the Portland Pirates, Brulé decided to announce his retirement from playing professional ice hockey instead.

References

 Other websites 

Category:1987 births
Category:Living people
Category:Canadian ice hockey centres
Category:Columbus Blue Jackets players
Category:Edmonton Oilers players
Category:Ice hockey people from Alberta
Category:Oklahoma City Barons players
Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Canada
Category:Phoenix Coyotes players
Category:Portland Pirates players
Category:Sportspeople from Edmonton
Category:Springfield Falcons players
Category:Syracuse Crunch players
Category:Vancouver Giants players