Brendan Gaunce Bio
Brendan Gaunce, born on March 25, 1994, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) under contract to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 217 pounds, Gaunce shoots left and has built a career as a reliable two-way forward across North American and European leagues. He was selected 26th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and has since represented Canada in multiple international tournaments, earning medals at the U-17 and U-18 levels.
Early Life and Background
Brendan Gaunce was born to Stephen and Julie Gaunce in Sudbury, Ontario, but grew up in Markham, Ontario, where he developed his love for hockey. He has two siblings, a brother and a sister, and comes from a deeply rooted hockey family. His older brother, Cameron, was selected in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche and has played professionally in the AHL, including for the Ontario Reign.
Gaunce attended Markham District High School, where he played on the school’s ice hockey team and registered 4 goals and 21 points in 17 games. Despite playing much of that season on defense, he was named to the Toronto Star High School Hockey All-Star First Team. He also captained the Markham Waxers Minor Midget team, scoring 55 goals and 148 points in 86 games during the 2009–10 season, establishing himself as one of Ontario’s top young talents.
Path to Hockey
As the highest-scoring minor midget player in Ontario in 2010, Gaunce was selected second overall in the OHL Priority Draft, behind Alex Galchenyuk, by the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He made his major junior debut in the 2010–11 OHL season and quickly made an impact, recording four assists in his second OHL game, a 7–4 win over the Peterborough Petes, and scoring his first career OHL goal the following game. He finished that season with 11 goals and 36 points, placing 13th in OHL rookie scoring.
In his second OHL season, Gaunce was named an alternate captain for the Bulls and earned the OHL Player of the Week award after recording five goals and an assist in three Belleville wins. He finished the year as a point-per-game player with 28 goals and 40 assists in 68 games and was Belleville’s nominee for the Bobby Smith Trophy as scholastic player of the year, though he lost to Adam Pelech. Ranked 13th among North American skaters and the top-ranked Canadian forward by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Gaunce fell to 26th overall, where the Vancouver Canucks selected him after targeting him as a key prospect. On November 26, 2013, he was traded from the Bulls to the Erie Otters.
Brendan Gaunce Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Gaunce spent the entire 2014–15 season with the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, where he continued to adjust to the professional game. He attended the Canucks’ 2015 training camp but was a late cut and reassigned to Utica to begin the regular season. On October 28, 2015, he received his first NHL recall, setting the stage for his top-level debut.
On October 29, 2015, Gaunce made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. The very next day, he scored his first NHL goal against Anders Lindback of the Arizona Coyotes in a 4–3 Canucks victory. After being reassigned to Utica on November 5, he was recalled again on March 1, 2016, and played out the remainder of the Canucks’ season before returning to the Comets for their playoff run.
NHL Breakthrough with the Vancouver Canucks (2016–2019)
Gaunce made the Canucks’ roster out of training camp for the first time in his career at the start of the 2016–17 season, cementing his place in the NHL. On October 16, 2016, he earned his first career NHL assist, setting up a Ben Hutton goal in a 4–3 overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes. His steady two-way play earned him a new contract, and on August 9, 2017, the Canucks re-signed him to a two-year, $1.5 million deal worth $750,000 annually.
His progress was briefly interrupted in February 2018 when he broke his foot and was expected to miss two to four weeks. After five seasons within the Canucks organization, Gaunce left as a free agent in 2019 when the team did not extend a qualifying offer, closing the first major chapter of his professional career.
Boston Bruins and European Stint (2019–2021)
On July 1, 2019, Gaunce signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000 with the Boston Bruins. During the 2019–20 season, he played only one game for the Bruins, recording an assist, while spending most of his time with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, where he tallied 18 goals and 19 assists in 52 games. With no NHL offers forthcoming, he ventured to Europe on January 2, 2021, signing with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League.
Gaunce adapted quickly to the larger international ice, posting 5 goals and 12 points with a plus-10 rating in 18 regular-season games. He added 7 points in 12 playoff contests to help Växjö capture the SHL Championship, a career highlight that demonstrated his adaptability beyond North America.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2021–2024)
Returning to North America as a free agent, Gaunce signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 30, 2021. Impressed by his consistency, the Blue Jackets re-signed him to a two-year, $1.525 million contract on June 18, 2022. He spent three seasons within the Columbus organization, splitting time between the NHL club and the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters and serving as a dependable depth forward.
Minnesota Wild and Return to Columbus (2024–Present)
On July 1, 2024, Gaunce signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Minnesota Wild as a free agent. One year into his tenure, however, he was traded back to Columbus in exchange for Cameron Butler, returning to the organization where he had spent the previous three seasons. He is currently under contract with the Blue Jackets through 2026 and continues to play for the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Brendan Gaunce is recognized for his physical, defense-oriented style of play, using his 6-foot-2, 217-pound frame to win battles along the boards and in front of the net. A reliable two-way forward, he excels at penalty killing, face-offs, and providing energy in the bottom six. His experience in multiple leagues, including the SHL, has added a tactical layer to his game, while his left-handed shot and hockey IQ have made him a steady presence in both North American and European systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Gaunce’s career came in Sweden, when he helped the Växjö Lakers win the SHL Championship in 2021 after a strong playoff performance. Other milestones include his first NHL goal against the Arizona Coyotes in 2015, his NHL debut versus the Dallas Stars, and his gold medal with Canada at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Representing Canada on the international stage at three consecutive major junior tournaments stands as one of the proudest achievements of his career.
Brendan Gaunce Career Wins
Brendan Gaunce’s career has been marked by steady contributions rather than prolific point totals, with his most celebrated team victory coming in Europe. As a depth and middle-six forward, he has consistently delivered in supporting roles, helping his teams reach and win key postseason battles.
International and Junior Highlights
At the junior level, Gaunce helped Team Ontario win gold at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring key goals in the preliminary round and the championship game. Later that year, he represented Canada at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, recording goals and assists in the semifinal and final to help Canada win gold for the fourth consecutive year. In 2012, he added a bronze medal at the IIHF World U18 Championships after a shorthanded goal in the bronze-medal game against Finland.
Other Wins and Performances
In the OHL, Gaunce was a point-per-game player in his second season with the Belleville Bulls and earned the OHL Player of the Week award. His most significant professional team win came with the Växjö Lakers, where he was part of the 2021 SHL Championship squad. In the AHL, he has been a consistent contributor for the Utica Comets, Providence Bruins, and Cleveland Monsters throughout his career.
Brendan Gaunce Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brendan Gaunce comes from a hockey family with strong roots in the sport. He is the son of Stephen and Julie Gaunce and has two siblings, including his older brother Cameron Gaunce, who was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche and has played professionally in the AHL. Growing up in Markham, Ontario, the Gaunce household was deeply connected to the game, and Brendan’s path through minor hockey and the OHL was supported by this family environment.
Personal Life
Brendan Gaunce grew up in Markham, Ontario, and has spent much of his professional career moving between North American cities, including Vancouver, Boston, Columbus, and Minnesota, as well as a season in Sweden with the Växjö Lakers. Public information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not widely available, and he is known primarily for his dedication to hockey and his team’s success.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has seen Brendan Gaunce continue his role within the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, split between the NHL club and their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. After being traded back to Columbus from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Cameron Butler, he returned to a familiar system under contract through 2026. His veteran presence and two-way reliability have made him a steady option for the Blue Jackets’ depth charts.
Throughout the season, Gaunce has been deployed in a bottom-six role, focusing on penalty killing, face-offs, and physical play along the boards. His experience playing in multiple leagues, including the SHL and AHL, has allowed him to adapt to varying line combinations and team needs. While not a prolific scorer at the NHL level, his contributions in specialty teams and defensive zones have provided consistent value.
Looking ahead, Gaunce’s outlook remains tied to his contract status with Columbus through 2026. With his blend of size, defensive responsibility, and leadership, he is expected to continue serving as a reliable depth forward for the Blue Jackets organization. His international experience and championship pedigree from the SHL add to his profile as a trusted professional in any locker room.
