Harrison Brunicke didn’t mince words when explaining his aspirations for the 2025-26 season back in October.
“Plan A is to be here,” the Pittsburgh Penguins defensive prospect said in October during training camp. “There’s not really a Plan B in my mind right now.”
As it turned out, Plan A did happen. But it had a limited shelf life.
Brunicke, 19, made the Penguins’ NHL roster to open the season and offered plenty of promise as one of the organization’s leading prospects. And there were very visible glimpses of what he can offer in the handful of games he played for the NHL club throughout October and November.
But once he appeared in nine games — the maximum figure a player who is still eligible to play at the junior level can appear in before the first year of his entry-level contract is tolled — Penguins management turned to Plan B. Then C. Then D.
First, after several healthy scratches, he was sent to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League for a two-week conditioning assignment by late November. Then by mid-December, he was loaned to Hockey Canada for the International Ice Hockey World Junior Championship tournament (in which he won a bronze medal).
Finally, by Jan. 7, he was returned to his junior team, the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League.
“It (stinks) being out of the lineup and watching games,” Brunicke said by phone Wednesday. “But I still thought I learned a lot when I wasn’t playing. There’s a great development staff, a great coaching staff (with the Penguins). They helped me, on ice, off ice, whether it was working out as well or video. I still think I made the most of my time there when I wasn’t playing.
“It definitely feels not great to not play. … But that’s going to happen. You have to figure that stuff out as a player. But I’m super happy and very grateful for the time I got there at the start of the year.”
The right-handed Brunicke has been prolific since returning to Kamloops. In fact, he’s been a point-per-game producer with 24 points (two goals, 22 assists) in 24 games and has helped the Blazers qualify for the postseason after missing the playoffs last season.
Much of Brunicke’s offense has come through creating scoring chances for teammates.
WHAT A GOAL! ???????? pic.twitter.com/HEb7uLPFbZ
— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) January 29, 2026
“We’ve got a lot of high-end skill and talent here,” Brunicke said. “A lot of good goal-scorers. Fast players. Kind of easy to get them the puck and create some offense when I can. That’s a big part of my game. Just my offensive awareness and creating plays in the (offensive) zone, whether it’s from the blue line or going down the wall, different things like that. Just trying to focus on creating play and overall, creating chances for my team.”
Brunicke understands he can’t just rely on offense if he hopes to return to Plan A. He has been given regular guidance by Penguins management on areas to refine on the defensive side of his game.
“I’ve had conversations with the development (staff). They’ve been out here to talk with me, show me some video, work through a couple of things. (Before) I came back (to Kamloops), I had a meeting with (president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas) and (assistant general manager Jason Spezza). Their biggest thing was kill plays, end plays early in the neutral zone, have a good gap, good stick, stuff like that.
“It kind of seems basic maybe to the public eye, but when you have those skills as a defenseman — as well as being able to create offensively — that’s obviously a huge thing that teams look for and will overall make you an elite defenseman. I don’t just see myself one way. I’m not strictly offense. I like to defend and play physical at times as well. That’s an area I want to improve in.”
It wasn’t a shocker when Brunicke was returned to Kamloops in January. And it certainly wasn’t a cause for jubilation.
“It’s kind of a crappy feeling for sure,” Brunicke said. “I got to start the year there and feel that joy and excitement in being an NHLer. Different things went by. Went to (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton), came back, then went to World Juniors. Kind of expected (being sent back to Kamloops). So, I was kind of ready for it in a way. Didn’t really surprise me, but definitely stings a little bit.
“You want to be there (Pittsburgh). You see the team having success now. I kind of wish I was a part of it. But stuff is going to happen. You’ve got to rebound and come back stronger.”
A stronger (and newer) Plan A will accomplish that.
“Plan A as of right now is to lead my team in the playoffs and be reliable,” Brunicke said. “Try and go as far as we can. Then, have a great summer and come ready to play for training camp. Make the team again. My bigger aspirations are to stay the whole year, be reliable and a good player for them.”
Note: The Penguins had a scheduled day off Monday.
