Harrison
Brunicke
D · PIT
- WAR
- 0.1
- PTS
- 1
2025-26№ 164 / 325
Harrison Brunicke (Pittsburgh Penguins) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Harrison Brunicke
HEIGHT : 191 cm · WEIGHT : 93 kg · SHOOTS : R
Born : May 7, 2006 · Johannesburg, South Africa
Drafted : 2024 · PIT · round 2, pick #44
Contract : $875,000 · 2024-25 → 2028-29 · Entry-Level Contract · RFA · Signing bonus $87,500
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| NHL totals | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | |
Harrison Brunicke: our analysis
2025-26 season: 9 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 PTS, -4 +/-, 15:43 TOI. WAR 0.1 (164th of 325).
In 2025-26, Harrison Brunicke, 20, his WAR of 0.1 ranks 164th among 325 regulars, in the bottom half.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: finishing (+0.6); his biggest cost: penalties (-0.2).
Harrison Brunicke's story
A pair of hand-me-down skates handed to him at school set Harrison Brunicke on the path from baseball and soccer to hockey; born 8 May 2006 in Johannesburg, he moved with his family to Calgary in 2009 and learned the game there. Those early Calgary years provided the foundation he used to climb through minor tiers and provincial development programs.
During the 2021–22 season Brunicke played for the Calgary Royals at U15 and U18 levels, collecting 17 points in 29 games, and also made brief appearances with the Brooks Bandits (one game, AJHL) and the Kamloops Blazers (two games, WHL). He earned a roster spot in Kamloops as a 16-year-old and in 2022–23 skated in 59 games, recording eight points and scoring a goal at the Memorial Cup.
He took a noticeable step forward in 2023–24, finishing with 10 goals and 21 points in 49 games for the Blazers. Pittsburgh selected him in the second round, 44th overall, at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft; Brunicke signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins on 18 July 2024. In 2024–25 he posted 30 points in 41 games for Kamloops before being assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where he added two assists in 10 AHL contests to close the season.
Brunicke made Pittsburgh’s opening-night roster for 2025–26 and debuted in the NHL on 7 October 2025 against the New York Rangers, becoming the first skater born in South Africa to play in the league. On 9 October he became the first South African player to score an NHL goal, netting his first against the New York Islanders in a 4–3 win.
Internationally, Brunicke appeared in five games for Team Alberta at the WHL Cup in 2021–22, has represented Canada at the U18 World Championships and attended the national junior team summer camp in 2025. In December 2025 he was named to Canada’s roster for the 2026 World Junior Championship, where he recorded two assists in seven games and helped the team to a bronze medal. His on-ice profile blends offensive instincts from the blue line with straightforward defensive responsibility and a willingness to jump into the play.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 15:43
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:24
- SH TOI/GP
- 0:03
- Pts/GP
- 0.11
- EV points
- 1
- Hits
- 4
- Blocks
- 13
- Takeaways
- 1
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 48.6 %
- Off. zone starts
- 31.9 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
Prospect value
Scout Report Center →Rank
33
among all 32 teams' prospects
Rating
95/ 100
percentile among prospects at his position
Potential
75/ 80
First line or top pair
Ceiling: 5.6 WAR from age 21 to 26
NHL probability
62 %
of playing 200 NHL games from age 21 to 26
Expected WAR, age 21-26
1.8
the most likely outcome
NHLe
24
NHL points over 82 games, from 2025-26 (WHL, 35 games)
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
0.1
wins above replacement
-0.1 to 0.5 — 90% interval
164 of 325 defensemen
+0.5 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.0
- EV defense
- -0.1
- Power play
- 0.0
- Penalty kill
- 0.0
- Shooting
- +0.6
- Penalties
- -0.2
- Average → replacement
- +0.3
In goals.
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 137.5 km/h25th percentileleague avg. 143.1 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 35.2 km/h58th percentileleague avg. 34.7 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 933rd percentileleague avg. 31
- Offensive zone time
- 43.6 %78th percentileleague avg. 42.3 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 35.7 km20th percentileleague avg. 214.3 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 4.57 km27th percentileleague avg. 5.23 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 43.4 %80th percentileleague avg. 42.1 %
- Neutral zone time
- 17.6 %34th percentileleague avg. 16.8 %
- Defensive zone time
- 38.8 %73rd percentileleague avg. 40.9 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 820th percentile | 129th percentile | 12.5 %99th percentile |
| High danger | 00th percentile | 00th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 326th percentile | 149th percentile | 33.3 %100th percentile |
| Long range | 419th percentile | 00th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2025-2026 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2025-26
TOR
WPG
STL
VAN
SJS
LAK
NYR
NYIHarrison Brunicke: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Harrison Brunicke have in 2025-26?
Harrison Brunicke has 1 goal and 1 point (0 assists) in 9 games in 2025-26.
How old is Harrison Brunicke?
Harrison Brunicke is 20 years old: he was born on May 8, 2006.
How tall is Harrison Brunicke, and how much does he weigh?
Harrison Brunicke is 6'3" (191 cm) and weighs 205 lb (93 kg).
Where is Harrison Brunicke from?
South Africa: Harrison Brunicke was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.
What team does Harrison Brunicke play for?
Harrison Brunicke plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, at D, wearing number 45.
Is Harrison Brunicke injured?
No: Harrison Brunicke is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Harrison Brunicke?
Harrison Brunicke produced 0.1 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 164th of 325 players at his position in the NHL.
How much does Harrison Brunicke make?
Harrison Brunicke carries a cap hit of $875K per season, on a contract worth $2.8M in total over 3 years.
When does Harrison Brunicke's contract end?
Harrison Brunicke's contract runs through the 2028-29 season; he will then be a restricted free agent.
Is Harrison Brunicke a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 164th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
How has Harrison Brunicke played lately?
Over his last 9 games, Harrison Brunicke has 1 point (1 goal, 0 assists).
What are Harrison Brunicke's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Harrison Brunicke has 9 games, 1 goal, 0 assists and 1 point.
Where was Harrison Brunicke drafted?
Harrison Brunicke was drafted 44th overall (round 2) by Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024.
How does Harrison Brunicke perform in the playoffs?
Harrison Brunicke has not played in the NHL playoffs yet.
What is Harrison Brunicke's nationality?
Harrison Brunicke is Canadian. Internationally: Canada; played for the Canada national under-18 team at the U18 World Championships (year not specified); attended the national junior team summer camp in 2025; selected to represent Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championship, 2 assists in 7 games and won a bronze medal.
Where did Harrison Brunicke play before turning pro?
Calgary Royals (U15 then U18), 2021–22 season; one game with the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) in 2021–22; Kamloops Blazers (WHL), made the team as a 16-year-old and appeared in the 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
See also: his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)