Vancouver, BC -- It’s hard to blame Gilbert Brule if he is getting a little impatient.
The star centre of the Vancouver Giants has been waiting for today for a long time. Brule, the top-rated Western Hockey League prospects for the next NHL Entry Draft is one of 40 CHL stars that will compete in tonight’s Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (7:00 p.m. Pacific / 10:00 p.m. Eastern on Rogers Sportsnet).
"It’s going to be a lot of fun," said Brule, who leads Team Cherry with 25 goals this season. "I’m really looking forward to it."
The North Vancouver native has been the centre of attention since the game was awarded to his hometown one year ago. The host Vancouver Giants are expecting a capacity crowd of more than 16,000 at Pacific Coliseum.
"It’s going to be a sold out building so that will be even more incentive to play harder and have fun," said Brule, the Giants scoring leader this season.
Team Cherry coach Don Cherry asked NHL Central Scouting Director Frank Bonello to have Brule on his team. Cherry loves the 5-foot-10, 165 lbs. forwards enthusiasm for playing the body as well as creating scoring chances.
"He’s my type of player," said Cherry, who is coaching in his ninth Top Prospects Game. "I love the way he hits. He does everything. That’s the way I love to see the game played. I’m looking forward to having him on my team."
Brule has played under the microscope since being drafted first overall by the Giants in 2002. He is looking forward to showing off his skills in front of more than 200 NHL scouts and general managers that will be in attendance for the game.
"There’s going to be lots of scouts at this game, but everyone knew that coming in," said Brule, who was named to the CHL All-Rookie Team last year. "We have to play the best game of our lives."
