Pittsburgh Penguins at the World Junior Championship
The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to have multiple representatives at the upcoming World Junior Championship (WJC). Will Horcoff, a forward, was announced last week as a member of Team USA‘s preliminary roster. This week, 19-year-old defenseman Harrison Brunicke joined him by earning a spot on Team Canada’s training camp roster alongside 26 other players.
Harrison Brunicke’s Journey
Brunicke, who previously secured a gold medal with Canada’s U18 team in 2024, is looking forward to his potential debut with the junior national team at this level. Last season, he faced injury challenges, breaking his hand ahead of the tournament, which prevented him from participating despite an invitation to the camp.
Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 201 pounds, Brunicke was a second-round selection (44th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, benefiting from a pick acquired through the trade of Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes. Though he made an initial impact by scoring in his second NHL game, his performance waned in the latter part of his nine-game stint with Pittsburgh, leading to frequent healthy scratches.
Subsequently, he was loaned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, where he recorded three points and a plus-2 rating over five games. As of now, Brunicke has not reached his tenth NHL game, which would activate his entry-level contract. The Penguins are expected to make a decision regarding his status by January 3, the date of their 40th game, as this will determine whether they retain a year of control over his restricted free agent status at the end of his contract.
Opportunities at the WJC
The loan to the Canadian squad for the WJC is anticipated to be confirmed soon, which could provide a valuable opportunity for Brunicke to gain significant playing time and prove himself in high-stakes situations, possibly even earning a leadership role within the team. He is expected to join other NHL players such as Michael Misa from the San Jose Sharks and Zayne Parekh from the Calgary Flames, along with fellow forward prospects like Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone for the tournament.
Looking Ahead
Earlier today, Hockey Canada announced its training camp roster, which includes aspiring talents from across the league, with players like Brunicke aiming to make their mark at this prestigious hockey event. Team Canada will advance to compete in the WJC, which runs from December 26, 2025, to January 5, 2026, in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota.
As the Penguins gear up to face the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, they remain focused not just on their current NHL standing but also on the bright futures of their young athletes like Brunicke.
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