Vancouver Canucks‘ 4th year center Brendan Gaunce(50) played a career high 57 NHL scoring a new high 5 assists in a mostly fourth line, checking role.
He was only reassigned once for a total of 4 AHL games with affiliate Utica Comets, where he popped in a pair of goals and an assist.
The first time restricted free agent as his entry level deal expired received some reassurance with a new 2-year one-way deal through 2019.
At 23-years old, he’s looking at spending a first full season up in the show but will definitely have to start delivering more on the scoresheet, as should be expected from a high draft selection.
Brendan Gaunce (50)
Vancouver Canucks‘ 1st round pick in the 2012 draft (#26 overall) 2nd year center Brendan Gaunce(5o) has taken his game to the next level in his sophomore season with affiliate Utica Comets.
He’s already surpassed his goal mark with 15, tied his assist high at 18, has a new best 33 points and a +9 rating in just over half the AHL games since his rookie campaign.
The 6’2″ 207 lbs. power forward that also fires his fair share of pucks on the net received his big league debut early in the 2015/2016 for a couple of contests and was interestingly returned after his 1st NHL goal.
He stayed with the farm team for the next four months before recently receiving a second summons up to the show and looks like he’s fitting in pretty nicely.
Although he’s yet to add to his totals on the score sheet, he is 100% in the face off dot and adds spark plug energy depth in roughly 10 minutes of ice time, including short-handed situations.
The soon-to-be 22-year old former Belleville Bulls‘ point-per-OHL game player is signed to a 3-year entry level deal through 2016/2017.
You can expect him to compete for a permanent spot on the parent club next season.