Brubaker played two years with the St. Paul Vulcans of the USHL before attending Michigan State at the start of the 1976-77 season. Two months into the schedule he headed to the OHL where he put on the uniform of the Peterborough Petes. After scoring 20 goals and racking up 307 minutes in penalties, the rugged forward was chosen 102nd overall by the Boston Bruins in 1978.

Brubaker opted to start his pro career in the WHA with the New England Whalers then ended up in the NHL anyway when the franchise became part of the merge in 1979-80. He spent most of the 1979-80 season with the AHL's Springfield Indians but dressed for 43 games in Hartford the following season. Brubaker then spent the majority of the next three seasons in the minors while making brief appearances with the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames.

The burly winger scored eight goals in 68 games and was one of the more consistent players on the dreadful Toronto Maple Leafs in 1984-85. His playing time was reduced when the team improved the next season then he was claimed by the Edmonton Oilers to add depth to their AHL farm club. Brubaker later played a few games for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings before retiring in 1989.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame