Image Credit: X / Kamloops Blazers

By James Peters

Harrison Brunicke

Brunicke sent back to Blazers — but Pens coach impressed with d-man’s camp

Oct 7, 2024 | 11:27 AM

KAMLOOPS — The last junior player in NHL camp to be sent back to his Western Hockey League team was 18-year-old Kamloops Blazers defenceman Harrison Brunicke — and that happened Monday morning (Oct. 7).

Brunicke stuck with the Pittsburgh Penguins through the entirety of the team’s training camp, impressing Head Coach Mike Sullivan.

“We’re so encouraged with the training camp [Brunicke] has had — just his progression through the course of the camp, his aptitude for picking up some of the things we were trying to coach him on,” Sullivan told reporters Monday. “This is a guy who we’re really excited about and feel strongly that he’s going to be an impact player for us.”

The Penguins drafted the right-shot blueliner in the second round, 44th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

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Last week, the Blazers announced Brunicke as part of its leadership team for 2024-25, naming him an assistant captain. His attendance at Penguins camp forced him to miss the Blazers’ first five regular season games. The team has gone 2-3-0-0 in his absence, including a 2-1 overtime win in Wenatchee Sunday night.