Blue Jackets assign forward Brendan Gaunce to Monsters
Jan 14, 2024The Cleveland Monsters announced Sunday that the Columbus Blue Jackets assigned forward Brendan Gaunce to the Monsters. In eight appearances for Columbus this season, Gaunce posted 1-2-3 with two penalty minutes and added 6-9-15 with 12 penalty mintes and a +5 rating in 24 appearances for the Monsters while serving as Cleveland’s captain.
A 6’3”, 191 lb. left-shooting native of Sudbury, ON, Gaunce, 29, was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round (29th overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. In 161 career NHL appearances for Vancouver, the Boston Bruins, and Columbus spanning parts of eight seasons from 2015-20 and 2021-24, Gaunce registered 12-15-27 with 63 penalty minutes. In 321 career AHL appearances for the Utica Comets, Providence Bruins, and Cleveland spanning parts of nine seasons from 2014-20 and 2021-23, Gaunce logged 95-114-209 with 195 penalty minutes and a +16 rating.
In 2020-21, Gaunce tallied 5-7-12 with 18 penalty minutes and a +10 rating in one season with Vaxjo Lakers HC in Sweden’s SHL, helping his club claim the SHL Championship. Prior to his professional career, Gaunce posted 103-133-236 with 211 penalty minutes and a +8 rating in 258 career OHL appearances for the Belleville Bulls and Erie Otters. Gaunce served as Belleville’s captain during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
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