Penguins Defenseman Harrison Brunicke Opens up Ahead of Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Penguins replenished their prospect pool at the 2025 NHL Draft, and while those are all names to watch for the future, it's safe to say that their current crop of top prospects could be ready to make the big club full time.

The likes of Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen are both likely to begin the 2025/26 season on the Penguins roster, and now, another prospect has opened up on his goals of making the roster out of training camp.

In the 2024 NHL Draft, the team landed defenseman Harrison Brunicke in the second round, and the former Kamloops Blazers star took a major leap in his first season since being drafted, tallying 30 points in 41 games in the WHL regular season.

He also got a taste of AHL action, with the 6-foot-3 blue liner tallying 2 assists in 10 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and now, at 19-years of age, he's made it clear he wants to make the Penguins roster next season.

With a blue line that lacks young, energetic talent, there's definitely a role there for Brunicke, and if the team look to move Erik Karlsson and get younger, then there's no better player in the organization more suited to stepping up immediately than Brunicke.

Ultimately though, with a new Head Coach in charge, we'll have to wait and see how willing he is to give roster spots to young players, but if Brunicke can bring his best at training camp, there's a very, very good chance that he gives Pittsburgh no choice but to start him in the NHL in 2025/26.