Blazers blueliner Brunicke inks entry-level deal with Penguins
Harrison Brunicke is one step closer to making history.
The Kamloops Blazers defenceman has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas announced Thursday.
It's official! ✍️
The Penguins have signed defenseman Harrison Brunicke to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Details: https://t.co/BWR9o9C28x pic.twitter.com/3wUGeWX51t
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 18, 2024
Brunicke, who was born in Johannesburg, aims to become the first NHL skater born in South Africa.
The 18-year-old was Pittsburgh’s first selection in last month’s 2024 NHL Entry Draft, hearing his name called 44th overall in the second round.
He’s coming off a strong sophomore WHL season that saw him pot 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 49 games, ranking second in goals among Blazers defencemen and second in team points- despite a shoulder injury that cut his season short in February.
The 6-foot-3, 196-pound defenseman recovered to represent Team Canada at the 2024 World Under-18 Championship in the spring, assuming a shutdown defender role while tallying a goal, three assists and a +11 rating in seven games en route to a gold medal.
Brunicke has netted a total of 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points in 110 career WHL games and scored his first CHL playoff goal against the Peterborough Petes at the 2023 Memorial Cup.
