Welcome back, Bru!

28 May 2019

Kunlun Red Star is happy to announce the return of Gilbert Brule to our organization. This Canadian forward’s last spell with Red Star went so well he earned a call-up to Canada’s roster for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Gilbert Brule helped his country to a bronze medal there, and now he’s penned a two-year deal to return to China and help our country develop its hockey program ahead of the 2022 Games.

The Edmonton-born 32-year-old brings a wealth of experience in KHL, NHL and international hockey. That’s precisely what we’re looking for to help move our young, local talent to the next levels in their careers. Gilbert’s stellar career in junior hockey saw him selected sixth overall in the 2005 draft, having missed out on the CHL ‘Rookie of the Year’ award to one Sidney Crosby. He quickly found a place on the Blue Jackets roster, making the first of 299 NHL appearances that would yield 95 points.

Later Brule came to Europe, initially for a stint in Switzerland during the lock-out, then to the KHL and Avtomobilist in 2014/15. His first spell with Kunlun came in our second season, and he produced 35 (17+18) points in 47 games. Last season, Gilbert played for our Chernyshev Division rival Sibir, compiling 22 points in 30 games.