It was a busy day for the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday morning, concluding with assigning rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Brunicke, 19, cannot be assigned to WBS full-time, but after being scratched for more than five consecutive games, he is eligible for a one-time 14-day conditioning assignment, which the Penguins have now exercised.
The team has been mum on the details of the development plan for Brunicke, who remained trapped in hockey limbo. As a 19-year-old, the CHL transfer agreement with the NHL denies the Penguins the ability to assign him to the AHL, so the organization’s choices are to keep Brunicke in the NHL or return him to the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.
Brunicke has played the maximum allowed nine NHL games. If he plays one more, his entry-level contract would kick in. The next important date for Brunicke, beyond potentially playing a 10th game, is when the Penguins play their 40th game on Jan. 3.
The team has until Game 40 to decide if they keep him for the remainder of the season or return him to Kamloops.
Brunicke is a strong contender to be named to Team Canada for the upcoming World Junior Championships. Team Canada begins exhibition play on Dec. 17, and the tournament concludes with the gold medal game on Jan. 5.
The Penguins could also loan Brunicke to Team Canada for the event following his 14-day assignment.
WBS has three games this week and a total of five games within Brunicke’s 14-day eligibility.
The Penguins also officially assigned winger Philip Tomasino to WBS. Tomasino cleared waivers on Nov. 19.
As part of the news on Monday, the team recalled Tristan Broz from WBS, and Filip Hallander skated for what is believed to be the first time since being diagnosed with a blood clot on Nov. 7.
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