By Josh Sweetland/OHL
There was a period last spring where Tristan Bertucci, the seventh overall pick of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, was a healthy scratch during the OHL Playoffs. Fast-forward to February 2022 and he’s one of the most dynamic members of the Flint Firebirds blue line.
For Bertucci, a 6-foot-2, 17-year-old from Vaughan, Ont., a little confidence goes a long way.
“That’s been the difference for me, totally,” he said. “I struggled to get into a confident frame of mind last year when opportunities were kind of limited and I wasn’t getting a ton of ice time.
“I’m up over 100 games in the League now, and I feel like I’m really starting to hit my stride.
The @FlintFirebirds #NHLDraft eligibles connect 🤝
Ethan Hay tips in a point shot from Tristan Bertucci and Flint moves within one with the I-75 Divide Cup on the line 👀 pic.twitter.com/dGQAGS6HCb
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) February 2, 2023
The numbers would testify to that. Bertucci has 39 points on the season, 24 of which have come in 22 games post-Christmas. He’s done it in all situations too, seeing time on the power play but putting up his share of offensive results at even strength.
“He’s come along nicely,” affirmed Firebirds head coach and GM Ted Dent. “Progression-wise from last year to this it’s been a steady incline, and I think that’s going to continue.”
Dent, who worked with pro defencemen for over 10 seasons during his time with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs, provided his insights on Bertucci, and what makes him an intriguing young player in the OHL.
“The strongest asset Tristan has is his mind. He makes good reads, good decisions with the puck, and that’s not something you can really teach. He’s got a big frame and he’s gradually getting stronger. He already skates well and has shown he can be an effective player in any situation you put him in, so I think as he continues to get stronger you’re going to see him as more and more of a factor for our team.”
Bertucci scored once and added 12 assists over 62 games as a rookie last season. Exit meetings following Flint’s heart-breaking Game 7 Western Conference Championship Series loss to Windsor last spring provided him with a focus for the summer.
“We talked a fair bit about working on my shot,” Bertucci reflected. “I took that back home with me, spent a fair bit of time on it and I think we’re seeing some positive results now. It’s also something we spend time on in practice – getting pucks to the net in game-like situations.”
Bertucci has scored nine goals this season. He’s also generated chances for his teammates as one of 12 OHL blueliners with 30 assists.
Since returning from the Holiday break, Flint Firebirds defender Tristan Bertucci has 23 points in 21 games. He’s altering the narrative surrounding him being solely a stay at home type prospect at the next level. A video thread…
— Brock Otten (@BrockOtten) February 11, 2023
Flint’s blue line is unique in the sense that eight of the nine defenders, including Bertucci, are left-handed shots. Rookie Matthew Jenken is the sole exception.
“I actually got used to that in minor hockey as it seemed a lot of the teams I played on didn’t have many right-handed shooting defencemen,” said Bertucci. “If anything it’s helped me develop an ability to play either my strong or off-side, and that changes from time-to-time depending on who I am paired with. I’m comfortable playing either.”
NHL Central Scouting recognized Bertucci as the 51st-ranked North American skater eligible for the 2023 NHL Draft on their midseason rankings released January 13th. With scouts keeping a close watch, and the lingering excitement of last year’s trip to the Western Conference Championship Series still fresh in his mind, there’s no shortage of individual or team-based incentive for Bertucci in the stretch drive towards the post-season.
“I think our record right now is a little disappointing for all of us,” Bertucci said of the 24-25-3-1 Firebirds. “I wouldn’t say we’re where we want to be, but there’s still a lot of season left and we have a group here that I think can be dangerous to go up against in a playoff series.
“Guys like Lombardi, Hayes and Piercey have really stepped up to fill gaps left by Bertuzzi, Keppen and other players who were really important for us last spring,” he added. “We want to be at our very best come playoff-time, and I’m going to do everything I can to give our coaches a reliable option on the blue line.”
Bertucci and the Firebirds are back in action Thursday night when they visit the West Division-leading Windsor Spitfires at 7:05pm.
