Glenn Gawdin Bio
Glenn Gawdin (born March 25, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who plays for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). A right-shot centre listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 187 pounds, Gawdin is a versatile two-way forward known for his playmaking and leadership qualities. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round, 116th overall, of the 2015 NHL entry draft, becoming the first Richmond, British Columbia product to be taken in an NHL draft since Raymond Sawada in 2004.
Early Life and Background
Glenn Gawdin was born on March 25, 1997, in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, to parents Bryan and Yvonne. He grew up in the Richmond area and developed his athletic foundation through the Seafair Minor Hockey Association. In 2009, he played with the Richmond Blues during the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association playoffs, where he scored a hat-trick and was later named PeeWee-A MVP. His strong minor hockey performances earned him the opportunity to bypass a year and join the Seafair Islanders Midget A1 team early.
Beyond hockey, Gawdin also played lacrosse growing up and competed with the Team BC Bantam lacrosse team, an experience that sharpened his hand-eye coordination and overall athleticism. At the age of 15, he played major midget hockey with the Greater Vancouver Canadians while studying at McRoberts Secondary School. That year, he produced 25 points in 18 games and was drafted fifth overall by the Swift Current Broncos in the 2012 WHL bantam draft.
Path to Hockey
Gawdin began his major junior career with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he became the first member of his draft class to sign with the team. During the 2012–13 season, he appeared in two games with the Broncos after a productive year with the Greater Vancouver Canadians. The following season, he became a mainstay in the lineup, recording 22 points in 66 games as a rookie, including his first WHL point, an assist on Julius Honka’s first WHL goal, on September 19, 2013, against the Regina Pats.
Following his 2015 NHL draft selection by the St. Louis Blues, Gawdin attended the Blues’ training camp ahead of the 2016–17 season. After returning to the WHL without an NHL contract, he was named captain of the Broncos and was voted Team MVP at season’s end. He also gained international experience, representing Team British Columbia at the 2012 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup, where he won a gold medal, and later playing for Team Pacific at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, helping them capture silver. In 2015, he was named to Team Canada for the IIHF World U18 Championships.
Glenn Gawdin Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
On November 16, 2017, Gawdin signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Calgary Flames after attending their training camp. He returned to the WHL for the 2017–18 season as an overage player and produced one of the most dominant campaigns in the league. He scored 56 goals and 69 assists for 125 points, the second-highest total in the WHL that season behind Jayden Halbgewachs of the Moose Jaw Warriors. He was named WHL Player of the Month for February and selected to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team.
Gawdin led the Broncos to the 2018 WHL Championship and was named WHL Playoffs MVP. Two days later, he was named CHL Player of the Week for the first time. The Broncos qualified for the 2018 Memorial Cup, capping a remarkable junior career. At the end of the season, Gawdin revealed he had played through a shoulder injury, a testament to his toughness and competitive drive.
Calgary Flames Era (2018–2022)
After attending the Calgary Flames’ 2018 training camp, Gawdin was reassigned to their AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat. He made the Heat’s opening night roster for the 2018–19 season and recorded his first professional goal in a 6–5 loss to the Ontario Reign on October 6. On April 26, 2019, he was awarded the Junior Male Athlete Award by the Richmond Sports Council. In the 2019–20 season, he again played for Stockton and was named the team’s representative to the AHL All-Star Classic.
During the 2020–21 season, Gawdin was recalled from Stockton and made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames on February 20, 2021. He made six more appearances with the Flames and spent time with their taxi squad before being returned to Stockton. In his sixth NHL game, a 6–1 win over the Ottawa Senators on May 9, 2021, Gawdin registered his first NHL point, an assist on Michael Stone’s goal. In the 2021–22 season, he appeared in two more games with the Flames, going pointless, while spending the rest of the year with the Heat.
Anaheim Ducks Era (2022–2024)
As an unrestricted free agent, Gawdin signed a two-year contract worth 1.525 million dollars with the Anaheim Ducks on July 13, 2022. He was assigned to Anaheim’s AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, to start the season. He was recalled in November and made his Ducks debut on November 6, 2022, against the Florida Panthers. He played in two more games with Anaheim before being returned to San Diego on November 14.
Gawdin spent the majority of the 2023–24 season with the Gulls. After a series of trades left the Ducks shorthanded, he was recalled by Anaheim on March 6, 2024, while leading the Gulls in goals and ranking second in points. He made his NHL season debut that night in a 2–1 win over the Ottawa Senators before being returned to San Diego on March 8.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2024–Present)
After two seasons with the Ducks organization, Gawdin signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings on July 1, 2024. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the 2024–25 season. His two-year deal runs through the 2025–26 campaign at an average annual value of 1.525 million dollars.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gawdin is recognized as a reliable two-way centre with strong playmaking vision, a responsible defensive game, and leadership qualities developed through his years as captain of the Swift Current Broncos. His experience as a multi-sport athlete, including lacrosse, contributes to his agility and coordination on the ice.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of Gawdin’s career are his 2018 WHL Playoffs MVP award, his first NHL point against the Ottawa Senators in May 2021, and his NHL season debut with the Ducks in a 2–1 win over the Senators in March 2024. He also earned the distinction of being the first Richmond product drafted in an NHL entry draft in over a decade.
Glenn Gawdin Career Wins
Glenn Gawdin has accumulated an impressive collection of accomplishments across major junior, AHL, and NHL levels. His most celebrated achievement came in 2018 when he was named WHL Playoffs MVP after leading the Swift Current Broncos to the WHL Championship.
WHL Highlights
Gawdin scored 56 goals and 69 assists for 125 points in his final WHL season, the second-highest total in the league that year. He was selected to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team and named WHL Player of the Month for February 2018.
Other Wins and Performances
At the international level, Gawdin won a gold medal with Team British Columbia at the 2012 Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup and a silver medal with Team Pacific at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He was also recognized as the 2019 Junior Male Athlete Award winner by the Richmond Sports Council.
Glenn Gawdin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Glenn Gawdin was raised by his parents, Bryan and Yvonne, in Richmond, British Columbia. His father Bryan passed away in 2022. The family supported his early development in both hockey and lacrosse, and his multi-sport upbringing helped shape his athletic career.
Personal Life
Gawdin grew up playing both ice hockey and lacrosse, and he competed with the Team BC Bantam lacrosse team during his youth. His family remained an important part of his journey from minor hockey in Richmond to the professional ranks.
2025 Season Performance
Glenn Gawdin is expected to spend the 2025–26 campaign with the Ontario Reign of the AHL as part of the Los Angeles Kings organization. After a solid 2024–25 season with the Reign, Gawdin will look to continue producing offensively while positioning himself for potential NHL call-ups. His experience at both the AHL and NHL levels makes him a valuable depth piece for the Kings as the organization monitors its prospect pipeline.
With a two-way contract running through the end of the 2025–26 season, Gawdin has the opportunity to remain in the Kings’ plans and push for a more permanent NHL role. His leadership background as a former WHL captain and his consistent AHL production should give him every chance to compete for ice time at the highest level.