Does the name Damien Brunner ring a bell?
Yeah, he was the Swiss transplant who found success with the Detroit Red Wings but ultimately wanted too much money from the team and they let him go. He also played a season in New Jersey with the Devils, and started another one before leaving to go back to find his Swiss glory last year.
Well Brunner seems to be finding that glory with Lugano in the Swiss-A league. After 34 games played, he has 13 goals and 19 assists, good for 32 points. He’s also a plus 16 in that time.
Brunner has also found himself in all the headlines recently with his incredible shootout goal. He’s taken a page from the Pavel Datsyuk book of dangles, and put his own spin on it. Check out the video below of Brunner’s incredible shootout goal!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2lgZVJsRs0
The goal is actually not much different than the one he scored in 2013 while playing for the Red Wings. Unfortunately for the goalie in the most recent video, he was dangled out of his pads.
Here’s a look at Brunner’s 2013 shootout goal, the first one of his NHL career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9mjcTJXEDk
I wonder if any NHL clubs will come calling his name again after the Swiss season ends. Brunner is only 29 years old and still has some years of good hockey left.
