Kamloops Blazers defenseman Harrison Brunicke has been drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 18-year old was taken in the 2nd round by Pittsburgh, 44th overall, as part of the Saturday portion of the NHL Draft in Las Vegas.

Originally pegged as a later round pick by NHL Central Scouting, Brunicke jumped up the draft order after a solid performance at the World U-18 Championships, where he scored a goal and added four assists to help team Canada to victory in Finland.

Brunicke did come off a solid season with the Blazers as well, scoring 10 goals in a 21 point campaign, which saw him become one of the leaders on a young Blazers team.

“I had a call with him, it’s pretty sweet,” said Brunicke when asked whether he was going to be able to potentially play with Sidney Crosby.

Some cool mic’d up 🎤 content behind the scenes @hbrunicke06 https://t.co/Huw8hGF84f

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) June 29, 2024

Brunicke – who is expected to play in Kamloops next season – was one of several WHL prospects to be snapped up in the draft, including Kelowna Rockets forward Tij Iginla, son of former Blazers great Jarome Iginla.

The younger Iginla was selected sixth overall by the Utah Hockey Club, where he will join Josh Doan, son of former Blazer Shane Doan.

Blazers forward prospects Austin Burnevik was picked by the Anaheim Ducks in the sixth round, 182nd overall, while Mac Swanson was also picked by the Penguins in the seventh round, 207th overall.

Since 1985, there have been 107 Kamloops Blazers players drafted to the NHL, most notably Fraser Minten in 2022, Logan Stankoven in 2021, and Connor Zary in 2020.