Brunicke registered three assists in WHL Kamloops' 5-2 win over Red Deer on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Brunicke is up to 10 points in six WHL outings this season. The 19-year-old defenseman doesn't really have much left to prove in the WHL, but the Penguins didn't want to burn off the first year of his entry-level deal after having him on the NHL roster to begin the season. He'll be in contention for a spot with the big club in training camp ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Brunicke scored twice and added an assist in WHL Kamloops' 7-2 win over Wenatchee on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Since rejoining Kamloops after the World Junior Championship, Brunicke has six points over three contests. The Penguins prospect had one goal in nine NHL games this season, but Pittsburgh opted not to burn the first year of his entry-level contract. He'll close out 2025-26 in the WHL, but he might grab an NHL job in 2026-27.

Brunicke was reassigned to WHL Kamloops on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

After a strong start to the NHL season, Brunicke seemed to flounder a bit, including going a combined minus-6 in his last three games with the Penguins. A stint with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship saw the 19-year-old blueliner record two helpers in seven outings. Now back from international duty, the team opted to return him to juniors for the rest of the year rather than having him continue to sit around as a healthy scratch.

Brunicke will be loaned to Team Canada for the 2026 World Junior Championship, Penguins play-by-play announcer Josh Getzoff reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brunicke will take part in the World Juniors, which will likely keep him away from the Penguins through early January. The 19-year-old Brunicke hasn't played in an NHL game since Nov. 3 versus the Maple Leafs, though he did suit up in five minor-league games for AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while on a conditioning assignment.

Brunicke was recalled from his conditioning loan with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Brunicke had three assists in five outings during his stint with Pittsburgh's top minor-league affiliate. He has one goal, eight shots on net, 13 blocked shots and four hits in nine NHL appearances this season. Brunicke will be an option for Sunday's game against Dallas, but it's unclear if he will be in the lineup.

Brunicke was sent down to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on a conditioning loan Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Brunicke has been a healthy scratch for Pittsburgh's last seven games, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see him going out on a conditioning assignment. General manager Kyle Dubas is evidently still pondering whether to keep the young blueliner in the NHL or return him to juniors. Brunicke is right on the cusp of the Penguins needing to make a call, having played in nine games already -- with one more NHL appearance, Pittsburgh will burn the first year of his entry-level deal.