Harrison Brunicke

Harrison Brunicke (born May 8, 2006) is a South African-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Penguins in the second round, 44th overall, in the 2024 NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut with the team in 2025.

Playing career As a youth, Brunicke played for the Calgary Royals under-15 and then under-18 squads, scoring 17 points in 29 games during the 2021–22 season. He also appeared in one game for the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and in two games for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during that season. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Pittsburgh on July 18, 2024. After scoring 30 points in 41 games for the Blazers in 2024–25, Brunicke was assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and concluded the season with them, posting two assists in 10 games.

Brunicke made the Pittsburgh Penguins roster to open the 2025–26 NHL season. He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2025, against the New York Rangers on opening night, becoming the first skater from South Africa to play in the league. On October 9, he became the first South African player to score a goal in the NHL, scoring his first goal against the New York Islanders in a 4–3 win.

International play

In 2021–22, Brunicke appeared in five games for Team Alberta at the WHL Cup. During the tournament he recorded two assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

Personal life Brunicke was born on May 8, 2006, in Johannesburg, South Africa. His family moved to Calgary, Canada, in 2009, when he was age two. He initially played baseball and soccer before trying out ice hockey after a family at his school gave him a pair of used ice skates.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2021–22 Brooks Bandits AJHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2021–22 Kamloops Blazers WHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2022–23 Kamloops Blazers WHL 59 4 4 8 26 14 0 2 2 2 2023–24 Kamloops Blazers WHL 49 10 11 21 48 — — — — — 2024–25 Kamloops Blazers WHL 41 5 25 30 47 — — — — — 2024–25 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 10 0 2 2 18 2 1 1 2 0 2025–26 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 9 1 0 1 6 — — — — — 2025–26 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 11 1 7 8 2 15 2 5 7 12 2025–26 Kamloops Blazers WHL 24 2 22 24 20 4 0 1 1 0NHL totals 9 1 0 1 6 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2024 Canada U18 7 1 3 4 2 2026 Canada WJC 7 0 2 2 0Junior totals 14 1 5 6 2