Kamloops Blazers defenceman Harrison Brunicke in action against the Vancouver Giants. (Photo via Vancouver Giants)
Kamloops Blazers defenceman Harrison Brunicke could be out for the rest of the 2023-24 WHL season with an upper body injury.
Brunicke is listed as month-to-month, according to the latest WHL injury report released this morning, Feb. 20.
The 17-year-old defenceman left Monday’s game against Victoria holding his shoulder, after a hard hit from Royals forward Alex Edwards.
“It was a late hit as far as I was concerned,” Blazers Associate Coach Don Hay said on After the Buzzer Tuesday. “The whistle had gone. Harrison was still kind of moving a little bit but he’s not open to a free hit and their guy, Edwards, came in with a hit.”
Edwards was only assessed a minor penalty for charging during the game.
The 19-year-old Royals forward already served a 25-game suspension earlier this season for a hit from behind on Everett Silvertips defenceman Dexter Whittle during a game in September.
Brunicke is ranked 67th among all North American skaters in Central Scouting’s midterm rankings ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft.
The Calgary native has 21 points (10 goals and 11 assists) in 49 games with the Blazers this season.
It’s not great news for Blazers D Harrison Brunicke. He’s listed month-to-month on the WHL injury report today. You’d think that will weigh heavily into a suspension length.
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) February 20, 2024
