Joburg-born Harrison Brunicke has the chance to make ice hockey history for South Africa thanks to the talent and hard work that has afforded him the chance to be drafted for the NHL—The biggest hockey league in the US and Canada.
Global (19 June 2024) — At 18 years old, ice hockey player Harrison Brunicke has a real shot at making the history books for South Africa in the world of ice hockey.
A talented teen whose made big moves across the world, the Johannesburg-born defenseman hopped on the National Hockey League’s (NHL) radar and now has the chance to be drafted—something that would make him the first South African skater to play in the league in decades apart from Olie Kolzig (whose parents were German despite him being born in Joburg, too). Harrison on the other hand shares that all his family are from South Africa.
So, how did Harrison make it so far in the US and Canadian hockey league as a Joburg boy?
The young ice hockey mover and shaker immigrated to Canada with his family when he was still a child. There, he found a great love for the game and a talent for it too. Though, Harrison humbly shares that from the perspective of the very young player he once was, he never thought he would skate on the cusp of something as epic as being drafted for the NHL.
His aunt, Karin van der Merwe spotlighted some of his other achievements, sharing that he played for Canada in the U18 World Cup and won gold.
But despite all he has achieved for Canada, Harrison still hopes to make his first home, South Africa proud.
“I’m proud of where I’m from,” he shared with Calargy Flames. In the same vein, where he’s from is also proud of him, with many South Africans sharing their well wishes on expat groups, as well as the South African Hockey Federation extending their congratulations to Harrison for having come this far.
The Draft selection is scheduled for the end of the month (29 June) in Las Vegas, and for the first time in ages, South Africans are holding thumbs for its outcome!
Sources: Website Submission; Various (Linked Above)
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