Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced the signing of Harrison Brunicke to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Brunicke was the Penguins’ 44th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas. The Johannesburg, South Africa native is a rare and highly coveted right-handed defenseman. The 18-year-old played for the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2023-24 regular season, recording a career-high 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 49 games. Over two seasons with the Blazers, Brunicke has amassed 29 points. Although his offensive output has not been his main strength, many believe he has untapped potential in this area.
Internationally, Brunicke represented Team Canada at the IIHF U18 World Junior Championship, where he scored one goal and three assists for four points in seven games and demonstrated strong defensive play, finishing with a plus-11 rating.
Defensively, the 6-foot-3 blueliner excels at checking hard, controlling play around his net, and breaking up cycles with stick checks or hits. He can effectively shut down opponents on the rush, matching their speed. With the puck, he makes smart decisions and delivers crisp breakout passes to teammates. “There’s a lot of interest in him as a big, right-handed defenseman who can fill multiple roles,” noted Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis in his final prospect rankings. “He’s very intelligent with the puck, and his offensive skills are better than his stats indicate. With his 6-foot-3 frame, projectable traits, and budding offensive potential, there’s much to like – and his strong performance at the U-18s adds to his appeal.”