Blazers Brunicke honoured to learn from Crosby as he makes Penguins history

Photo credit: Cole Wilton 

Former Rimouski Oceanic star Sidney Crosby made significant history Sunday.

By registering his 1,724th point, he passed the legendary Mario Lemieux as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ all-time leading scorer and into eighth all-time in NHL history.

“It’s really special,” Crosby said. “You know, to be here as long as I have been, so many guys have contributed to that, so many different teams and groups.

“I obviously have a ton of respect for Mario and everything that he’s done for this team, and for hockey in general. It’s pretty special.”

One such player that has seen Crosby up close is rookie blueliner Harrison Brunicke. While Crosby didn’t assist on his lone NHL point thus far – he scored his first NHL goal Oct. 9 – Brunicke says being around the hockey legend has been an incredible experience.

“He is such a professional,” Brunicke said. “Everything he does, he does the right way. That’s the biggest thing I’ve picked up.

“He’s such an amazing leader and he’s so easy to follow.”

The 19-year-old defenceman played nine games with the Penguins this season where he averaged 15:43 of ice time. He also made four appearances for the club’s AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins where he notched four assists before he was loaned to Canada’s roster for the 2026 World Juniors.

But being around Crosby – as well as future Hall of Fame defencemen Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson – has been an eye-opening experience for the Kamloops Blazers alumnus.

“Not too long ago before I came to camp, I was watching video of myself and Letang popped in and gave me his thoughts about different plays and things I can do,” Brunicke recalled. “You don’t think about it in the moment but looking back it’s really cool to hear different things from those guys and learn from them … it’s cool to nitpick from their game and implement it to mine.”

His NHL experience has also helped prepare him to play in the biggest international junior hockey tournament in the world.

“You find out different things about your game,” Brunicke said. “Figuring out the pro style game, not taking risks, keeping it steady and simple but for me, I like to be offensive too, creating offence and jumping up in the rush. But off the ice too, your preparation, things you eat, training and recovery, I’m going to bring that here and hopefully show some more leadership too to the guys.”