Jake DeBrusk on former Bruins teammates after Canucks signing

Jake DeBrusk on leaving Bruins for Canucks: Among the plethora of Bruins-related stories to emerge from the first day of NHL free agency was the news that forward Jake DeBrusk was signing with the Vancouver Canucks on a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $5.5 million.

DeBrusk, 27, was originally drafted by the Bruins in 2015 and had spent his entire NHL career in Boston. After the Monday announcement, he spoke to Vancouver media about the signing.

“It’s been a crazy process, obviously, free agency and going through it for the first time,” said DeBrusk. “But in saying that, in terms of obviously being in Vancouver, they were very aggressive. I knew I had a really good feeling about them. We were talking and things of that nature and things were looking like they were going to hopefully go in the right direction.

“It’s funny, I woke up pretty early today and felt like a pretty normal day and then as soon as I kind of got the confirmation that I was coming here, I’ve been overwhelmed throughout the whole day. It’s been really exciting and it’s something I just can’t wait to get to the city and I can’t wait to get started. I feel very lucky and honored to become a Vancouver Canuck.”

Asked about the “tension” between the Canucks and Bruins (harkening back to the two teams’ 2011 Stanley Cup Final matchup) and how his Boston friends reacted to signing with Vancouver, DeBrusk said he got a warm response.

“[My phone] has been blowing up, but they’re actually happy for me, at least for the Boston side of guys,” DeBrusk explained. “I have lots of good friends over there and guys I’ve played with for a long time that understood something like this was probably going to happen, but they’re just really excited for me.”

“In terms of the rivalry,” he continued, “obviously playing with [Brad Marchand] and [Patrice Bergeron] for the first couple of years…there’s a little bit of that, especially with the fans, especially with [Marchand]. I mean that’s always pretty obvious, but I [arrived] after that. I remember watching it, but I was not a part of that team. It was always interesting seeing how people reacted around [Marchand], which I totally understand.”

Bruins general manager Don Sweeney noted that DeBrusk was reuniting in Vancouver with fellow former Bruins Danton Heinen and Derek Forbort.

“I wish Jake well,” Sweeney told reporters. “Obviously he was a tremendous Bruin, it’s a great opportunity for him in Vancouver as well as for Danton and Derek.”

Trivia: With Jake DeBrusk’s exit from the Bruins, only one player selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft is still on Boston’s roster. Can you name him?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: Though the Bruins held three first-round picks that year, none of them are still with Boston. This player was selected sixth overall by the Devils.

Scores and schedules:

The Red Sox begin a three-game series in Miami against the Marlins this evening at 6:40 p.m.

Tomorrow, the Revolution host Atlanta United at Gillette Stadium at 7:45 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

Questions linger for U.S. after Copa America: The United States men’s national team crashed out of Copa America on Monday night following a 1-0 loss to Uruguay in the final game of the group stage.

As the team looks ahead to the World Cup in 2026 (which will be played in North America), changes will likely be coming.

On this day: In 1998, the Red Sox — behind six scoreless innings from Pedro Martinez — routed the Expos 15-0. Martinez defeated an opposing pitcher (Carl Pavano) who had been one of the players Boston traded in exchange for him in the prior offseason. Pavano struggled, allowing six runs (five earned) over four innings. Even after he had been chased, the Montreal bullpen couldn’t hold back the Red Sox offense.

Nomar Garciaparra extended his hitting streak to 23 games, hitting a first inning home run off of Pavano. Boston finished its day with an impressive 20 hits.

Elsewhere, Jana Novotná defeated world No. 1 Martina Hingis to reach the Wimbledon final, and France prepared to face Italy in the World Cup quarterfinals on home soil (both would go on to win their respective competitions).

Daily highlight: Former Red Sox utility infielder Pablo Reyes made an excellent catch and throw to turn a double play against the Worcester Red Sox (playing for the Syracuse Mets) on Monday.