Pittsburgh Penguins Sign South African Player to Contract

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed their first selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, 18-year-old defenseman Harrison Brunicke, who is only the second-ever player born in South Africa to sign an NHL contract.

It's official! ✍️

The Penguins have signed defenseman Harrison Brunicke to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Details: https://t.co/BWR9o9C28x pic.twitter.com/3wUGeWX51t
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) July 18, 2024

It's a three-year entry-level deal for the Johannesburg native, with an NHL salary of $787,500 and a cap hit of $875,000.

Brunicke joins longtime Washington Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig as the only other player to be born in South Africa, and therefore would be the first-ever skater from that country in the NHL if he makes the big club.

But like Kolzig, Brunicke grew up in Canada, as his family moved to Calgary when he was two years old. In fact, he played a big role for Canada on the way to winning Gold at the 2024 IIHF World U-18 Championship. He finished the tournament with four points in seven games and a plus/minus rating of +11.

The 6-foot-3, 196-pound right-shot blueliner was selected with the 44th pick overall by Pittsburgh in last month's draft, after having spent the previous two full seasons with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL.

He's a strong two-way defenseman, and a good skater who moves the puck well. Last year at Kamloopos, he recorded 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 49 games.