Pittsburgh Penguins Season Opener Update
As the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare for their season opener against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, a significant update has emerged from the team. Head Coach Dan Muse announced that two standout young players, defenseman Harrison Brunicke and center Ben Kindel, will both step onto the ice for their first NHL games.
Historic Debuts
This event marks a historical moment, as Brunicke, 19, and Kindel, 18, will become the first duo of teenagers to debut for the Penguins since the likes of Jordan Staal and Kris Letang did so on October 5, 2006. They are only the third set of teens in the team’s history to make their NHL debuts together, joining the prestigious ranks of Mario Lemieux and Doug Bodger, who played their first games on October 11, 1984.
“They were given the opportunity and proved themselves through hard work and resilience,”
— Dan Muse
Player Profiles
Muse expressed his excitement for the young players, emphasizing that their inclusion in the opening night lineup wasn’t simply a preordained decision made during training camp. Both players faced challenging situations during exhibitions that they handled admirably.
Brunicke, who was drafted 44th overall by the Penguins in the 2024 NHL Draft, demonstrated considerable growth since falling short of making the team as an 18-year-old last season due to a broken wrist that sidelined him for significant time. Despite this setback, he managed to score five goals and provide 30 points in 41 games with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL last year and has impressed coaches throughout this training camp. Veteran teammate Kris Letang praised Brunicke’s skills and confidence, which he believes will make him a formidable player at the NHL level.
On the other hand, Kindel, selected 11th overall in the 2025 draft, has shown his prowess consistently throughout the preseason, exhibiting exceptional skill in at least three games and leading the Penguins in appearances during the preseason with six games played, where he netted a goal and tallied three points. Team captain Sidney Crosby noted Kindel’s poise and speed, highlighting his distribution skills and overall comfort level on the ice.
Practice and Future Prospects
During Monday’s practice, Brunicke was paired with left defenseman Caleb Jones, while Kindel took on a central role with teammates Tommy Novak and Philip Tomasino on the third line, contributing to a power play unit that has seen them both gaining traction in preparation for the season.
Additionally, three current WHL players, including Brunicke and Kindel, are slated to start the 2025-26 NHL season with their respective teams, while Braeden Cootes remains with the Vancouver Canucks. However, speculations suggest that all three may return to their junior teams following their NHL debuts.
Looking Ahead
As the Penguins gear up for the highly anticipated match against their former coach Mike Sullivan, fans and analysts alike are eager to witness the impact these young talents will have in their debuts, and whether they can emulate the success of past Penguins legends.
