Harrison Brunicke Reflects on WHL Season, AHL Debut and NHL Aspirations
By Colton Davies – Follow Colton on X
After a whirlwind few months split between Kamloops and Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Harrison Brunicke is finally back home in Calgary—and taking a well-deserved breath.
The 2005-born defenseman recently wrapped up a season that featured everything from WHL battles and a stint in the AHL to sharing the ice with hockey royalty at Canada’s pre-Worlds camp. As he regroups for what could be his final junior campaign, Brunicke is clear-eyed about the road ahead.
When the Blazers hit the halfway mark of the season, playoff hopes were still within reach. But as the final weeks played out, that window began to close. For Brunicke, who missed a portion of the year due to injury, the team’s finish left plenty to reflect on.
“Coming back from injury, I wasn’t around the team a whole lot,” he said. “But from what I could see, it just came down to a buy-in—mentally, emotionally—to what the coaches were preaching and what our team identity was supposed to be.”
It’s a lesson he hopes will carry into next season for a group that could see fresh faces from the BCHL and U.S. ranks. “I think we’ve got a good group coming back. There’s some excitement about what we can build toward,” Brunicke said. “Personally, I want to be healthy, and I want to help this team get back to the playoffs.”
While the door isn’t closed on another year in Kamloops, Brunicke is also preparing like someone who plans to take the next step. After all, he’s already tasted pro hockey.
“My goal this year is to make the NHL,” Brunicke said, noting that his offseason will be all about “grinding every day” and preparing for training camp. “I showcased myself well last year [at camp], and I want to be even better this time around.”
Still, the young blueliner isn’t letting it cloud his mindset. “If it doesn’t work out, that’s the way it is. I’d be excited to come back to Kamloops, too. But yeah—playing in the playoffs with Kamloops is a big part of what I want to do next year.”
Brunicke joined the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins following the WHL season, slotting in immediately and earning valuable reps, including his first pro goal. He appeared in 10 regular-season games, notching two assists. He registered his first pro goal during the postseason.
“It was just a great experience overall,” Brunicke said. “I knew a few of the guys already, which helped, and the staff there really trusted me. I don’t think I missed a game once I got there.”
Adjusting to the pro pace wasn’t without its moments of humility. “At the start, there were definitely some junior habits I had to shake,” he admitted. “Assistant GM Jason Spezza had a good talk with me about it, and that really helped. After that, I played some of my best hockey.”
Brunicke credits that stretch for building his confidence, especially in physical matchups against older, stronger players. “That was probably my ‘Welcome to the AHL’ moment,” he said. “Realizing, okay, this is a man’s league.”
One of the more surreal elements of Brunicke’s time in the Penguins organization has been getting mentorship from Jason Spezza, a player he grew up idolizing.
“It’s pretty awesome. At first, I was kind of starstruck,” Brunicke laughed. “But now, I’ll text him, see him around the rink… having someone like that in your corner, helping with your game and giving feedback? That’s huge.”
During his exit meeting with Spezza, Brunicke found out he’d been invited to Canada’s pre-camp ahead of the World Championship, a moment that left him speechless.
“I had like a day to pack and then I was gone,” he said. “Just being around that level of talent… surreal is the only word.”
Yes, Sidney Crosby was there. Yes, Brunicke got to share the ice with him.
“He showed up a little late, but he was around for practices before the team left for Sweden. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
With a pivotal offseason in front of him, Brunicke isn’t short on motivation. Whether he’s patrolling the blueline in Kamloops or chasing an NHL roster spot, he knows the work starts now.
“I’m just trying to take it all in and keep getting better,” he said. “Whatever happens next, I want to be ready for it.”
And whether it’s Kamloops or Pittsburgh, it’s clear that Brunicke is knocking on the door of something big.
