Brendan Gaunce Bio
Brendan Gaunce (born March 25, 1994) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 26th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and has since played in the NHL, the American Hockey League (AHL), and the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Standing 188 centimeters tall and weighing 98 kilograms, Gaunce is known for his two-way play and durability through several organizations.
Internationally, Gaunce has represented Canada at multiple youth tournaments, winning a gold medal at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships. He also captured gold with Team Ontario at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. His professional path has taken him from Vancouver to Boston, Sweden, Columbus, and Minnesota before his return to the Blue Jackets.
Early Life and Background
Brendan Gaunce was born to Stephen and Julie Gaunce in Sudbury, Ontario, and grew up in Markham, Ontario. He has two siblings, including an older brother, Cameron, who was selected in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche and has played at the professional level. Hockey was a central part of family life, and the brothers both pursued the sport to an elite junior level.
Gaunce attended Markham District High School, where he played on the school’s ice hockey team and registered four goals and 21 points in 17 games. Although he spent much of the season playing defense, he was recognized on the Toronto Star High School Hockey All-Star First Team. Outside school hockey, he captained the Markham Waxers minor midget squad, producing 55 goals and 148 points in 86 games during 2009–10. He finished that year as the highest-scoring minor midget player in Ontario, drawing attention from major junior scouts across the country.
Path to Hockey
Following his dominant minor midget season, Gaunce was selected second overall in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Draft by the Belleville Bulls, just behind Alex Galchenyuk. He made his major junior debut in the 2010–11 OHL season and immediately produced offensively, recording a four-assist game in his second contest and his first career goal shortly afterward. He closed his rookie campaign with 11 goals and 36 points, finishing 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 a three-game stretch of five goals and an assist. He finished the year at nearly a point per game with 28 goals and 40 assists in 68 games. He was also Belleville’s nominee for the Bobby Smith Trophy as scholastic player of the year. Ahead of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, NHL Central Scouting ranked him 13th among North American skaters and the top Canadian forward. He was selected 26th overall by the Vancouver Canucks, and the club later traded for him to be part of their forward group going forward.
Brendan Gaunce Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
On November 26, 2013, Gaunce was traded from the Belleville Bulls to the Erie Otters as part of his final junior development. The following season marked the start of his professional career, as he spent the 2014–15 season with the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. He continued to adjust to the professional pace, focusing on his two-way responsibilities and physical play.
Gaunce attended the Canucks’ 2015 training camp and was reassigned to Utica before earning his first NHL recall on October 28, 2015. The next phase of his career would soon include his top-league debut.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2015–2019)
Brendan Gaunce made his NHL debut on October 29, 2015, 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 another 4–3 Vancouver win. He was returned to Utica on November 5 before being recalled again on March 1, 2016, and finishing the season split between the NHL and the AHL.
In 2016–17, Gaunce earned a roster spot out of training camp and notched his first NHL assist on October 16, 2016, on a Ben Hutton goal in a 4–3 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes. On August 9, 2017, the Canucks re-signed him to a two-year, $1.5 million contract at $750,000 annually. A broken foot in February 2018 limited his playing time. After five seasons in the organization, he left as a free agent when Vancouver did not extend a qualifying offer.
Boston Bruins Era (2019–2020)
On July 1, 2019, Gaunce signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $700,000 with the Boston Bruins. In 2019–20, he appeared in one NHL game for the Bruins, recording an assist, while spending the bulk of the season with the AHL’s Providence Bruins, where he posted 18 goals and 19 assists across 52 games. Despite his AHL production, he did not secure a longer NHL opportunity in Boston.
Växjö Lakers Era (2020–2021)
After receiving limited NHL interest, Gaunce signed with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League on January 2, 2021, joining them for the second half of the 2020–21 campaign. He quickly adapted to the larger European ice surface, recording five goals and 12 points with a plus-10 rating in 18 regular-season games. He added seven points in 12 playoff contests to help the club capture the SHL Championship, gaining valuable experience in a high-tempo professional environment.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2021–2024)
Following his stint in Sweden, Gaunce returned to North America and signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 30, 2021. He performed well enough to earn a new commitment, signing a two-year, $1.525 million contract on June 18, 2022. Across his three seasons in the organization, he served as a depth forward contributing at both the NHL and AHL levels.
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 the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Cameron Butler, returning him to the franchise where he had spent the previous three seasons.
Playing Style and Strengths
Brendan Gaunce is recognized for his responsible two-way game, physical presence, and willingness to play in all situations. Listed at 188 centimeters and 98 kilograms, he uses his size along the boards and in front of the net. His professional stops in the AHL and SHL helped him refine his defensive reads and faceoff work, making him a reliable depth forward in lineups.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gaunce’s key milestones are his NHL debut and first NHL goal on consecutive days in October 2015, his SHL Championship with the Växjö Lakers in 2021, and his return to the Columbus Blue Jackets via trade in 2025. He also represented Canada on the international stage, including a bronze-medal performance at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Brendan Gaunce Career Wins
Brendan Gaunce’s career trophy case includes international medals earned during his junior years. While his professional resume features steady contributions rather than major individual trophies, his team success in Sweden stands out as a career highlight.
International Highlights
Gaunce won gold with Canada at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, scoring and assisting in the championship game against Sweden to cap a dominant tournament. He also captured bronze with Canada at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championships, recording a shorthanded goal in the bronze-medal win over Finland. Earlier, he won gold with Team Ontario at the 2011 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.
Other Wins and Performances
In the SHL, Gaunce played a key depth role for the Växjö Lakers during their 2020–21 playoff run, helping the club win the league championship. In the OHL, he earned the league’s Player of the Week award during the 2011–12 season and finished as a point-per-game player for the Belleville Bulls.
Brendan Gaunce Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Brendan Gaunce was raised in a hockey-oriented household by parents Stephen and Julie Gaunce. His older brother, Cameron Gaunce, was drafted 36th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2008 and has played professionally, including stints in the AHL. The brothers’ shared path through elite junior hockey shaped Brendan’s development and professional mindset.
Personal Life
Brendan Gaunce has kept his personal life largely private, with no public details regarding a spouse or children. He was born in Sudbury, Ontario, and grew up in Markham, Ontario, and continues to build his professional career in North America.
2025 Season Performance
Brendan Gaunce is expected to spend the 2025 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets after being reacquired from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Cameron Butler. His return to a familiar organization should provide continuity as he competes for a depth role within the forward group. With a contract running through 2026, he remains a steady veteran presence for the Blue Jackets’ system.
His prior tenure with the Blue Jackets gave him a clear understanding of the team’s systems, which should help him transition smoothly into the 2025–26 season. He is likely to balance time between the NHL roster and the club’s AHL affiliate, depending on team needs. Gaunce’s versatility allows the coaching staff to deploy him in various situations, including the penalty kill and energy-line matchups.
Looking ahead, Gaunce’s mix of size, experience, and two-way reliability gives him a path to remain an everyday NHL contributor if he can stay healthy. The Blue Jackets will count on him to provide leadership in the locker room and stability on the ice throughout the 2025 campaign and beyond.