Harrison Brunicke (right) with captain Porter Martone (centre) and assistant captain Cole Beaudoin (left). (Image Credit: Hockey Canada / X.com)

By James Peters

World Junior Hockey Championships

Blazers’ Brunicke named to Team Canada leadership group at World Juniors

Dec 25, 2025 | 12:47 PM

MINNEAPOLIS — Kamloops Blazers’ defenceman Harrison Brunicke will be counted on for his leadership on Team Canada’s entry into the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Minnesota.

Brunicke, 19, was named an assistant captain on the team Thursday (Dec. 25).

Meet the captains! / Voici nos capitaines! 🇨🇦

C: Porter Martone (@OHFHockey)
A: Cole Beaudoin (@HEOhockey)
A: Harrison Brunicke (@HockeyAlberta)#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/xfwIakrRVT

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 25, 2025

Born in South Africa but raised in Calgary, Brunicke joins captain Porter Martone and fellow assistant captain Cole Beaudoin on the team’s leadership group.

Brunicke has not played any games with the Blazers during the 2025-26. He opened the season on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ blueline in the NHL before being sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League for a conditioning stint. Brunicke registered his first NHL goal in an Oct. 9 game against the New York Islanders, becoming the first South African-born player to score in the NHL.

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Brunicke was picked for Team Canada’s selection camp for the 2025 championships, but was forced to miss the tournament with an injury.

Team Canada’s first game is set for 5:30 p.m. Pacific time on Boxing Day (Dec. 26) against Czechia. It will be broadcast nationally on TSN.