Gritty Penguins Prospect & Former Prospect Make WJC Team Canada Roster

Two Pittsburgh Penguins prospects were invited to the final Team Canada tryout camp, and one current and one former Penguins prospect will be on the final World Junior Championship Team Canada roster.

The Penguins’ prospect to make the roster is gritty 2024 second-round pick Tanner Howe (46th overall), who has 16 points in 16 WHL games split between the Regina Pats and Calgary Hitmen.

Regina traded Howe early this season.

Right-handed defenseman Harrison Brunicke was the other Penguins prospect invited to Team Canada camp, but he did not participate due to injury and did not make the final roster. Brunicke was among the final cuts from the Penguins training camp and mounted a strong challenge to make the NHL roster as an 18-year-old.

The World Junior Championships begin on Dec. 26.

For the second year in a row, former Penguins top prospect Brayden Yager will be a featured member of Team Canada. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas traded Yager to the Winnipeg Jets for highly sought winger Rutger McGroarty, who declined to sign with Winnipeg.

McGroarty has aged out of Team USA WJC eligibility. He has eight points (2-6-8) in 19 games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.