Damien Brunner

Damien Brunner
Brunner with the Devils in 2014
Born	(1986-03-09) March 9, 1986 (age 31) Kloten, Switzerland
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Right
NLA team Former teams	HC Lugano Kloten Flyers EV Zug Detroit Red Wings New Jersey Devils
National team	Switzerland
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2006–present

Damien Brunner (born March 9, 1986) is a Swiss professional ice hockey forward currently playing with HC Lugano of the National League A (NLA).

Brunner was born in Kloten, Switzerland, on March 9, 1986. He played for the Kloten Flyers of the National League A in 2006–07 and 2007–08. In 2008–09, he moved to EV Zug. In 2011–12, Brunner had 60 points in 45 games. He led the NLA in points and was named the league's forward of the year.

On July 1, 2012, Brunner signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. He then returned to EV Zug for the 2012–13 season until the 2012–13 NHL lockout was resolved, where he started the shortened season with the Red Wings. He netted the game-winning shootout goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets, in his second game with the Red Wings. He scored his first NHL goal the next day against Kari Lehtonen of the Dallas Stars.

Brunner played in the 2010 IIHF World Championship as a member of the Switzerland men's national ice hockey team.

After turning down two and three-year contract offers from the Detroit Red Wings, Brunner became an Unrestricted Free Agent. On September 16, 2013 he was signed by the New Jersey Devils on a pro tryout contract and attended the team's training camp. On September 24, 2013, he was signed by the New Jersey Devils to a two-year, $5 million contract.

On December 5, 2014, the Devils placed Brunner on waivers after he was benched for the entire third period in a 5-3 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 4. He cleared waivers the following day. He had 2 goals and 5 assists in 17 games. With little interest in playing in the American Hockey League, Brunner agreed to mutually terminate his contract with the Devils and on December 12, 2014, he returned to his native Switzerland in signing with HC Lugano of the National League A.