Blazers blueliner Brunicke looks to bring hockey IQ, physicality to Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

All eyes will be on Harrison Brunicke and 39 other major junior players as they take the ice at Moncton, N.B.’s Avenir Centre later this month for the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

But the spotlight suits the 17-year-old Kamloops Blazers defenceman just fine.

After all, he got quite the taste of it in his rookie season at the 2023 Memorial Cup, where he scored his first post-season goal against the Peterborough Petes.

“It probably gave him confidence,” Blazers Head Coach Shaun Clouston reflected. “I mean, this is a great league. It’s a tough level to not only make a hockey team but then to contribute at 16 years old.

“Last year, we dressed seven defencemen a lot, and he was kind of that number seven guy. I think when you go through the entire season and get to play playoff games and Memorial Cup games, it’s invaluable experience and I think that it’s helped him transition to a larger role this year.”

Brunicke, who was born in South Africa before his family moved to Calgary, Alta. two years later, has far surpassed his rookie season point totals with five goals and nine assists in 35 games and taken on an expanded role on the Blazers power play and penalty kill.

Coaches point to Brunicke’s smooth skating ability, puck skills and hard-nosed defensive style as key aspects of his game.

While Kamloops is in the process of re-stocking its draft cupboard and developing future stars, Clouston says there are still many ways to measure success for the 6-foot-3, 187-pound blueliner this season.

“It’s a success just to be invited to this game,” Clouston said. “I think you want scouts that come to the game to see his compete level and his work ethic.

“He’s a guy that has the potential to have a really long career as a pro, I think. He has tools that are transferable. I think he’s an intelligent player. I think as he matures physically- like he’s got good size already- but as he matures, physically, he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

In NHL Central Scouting’s pre-season rankings, Brunicke was assigned a ‘C’ rating, projecting him as a potential fourth or fifth-round pick at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nev. in June.