With all of his experience, Gudbranson took some time to answer five questions to allow the fans to get to know more about him.
1. BlueJackets.com: You have played in a lot of places, so what's it like to settle here? What have been your favorite parts of the city?
Erik Gudbranson: "Everything about the city, it's been awesome. It has been busy these last few years moving around, storage lockers and rental properties all that kind of stuff, so it's been great to be able to get rid of all of that and settle in. The organization has been treating us so well and made it so easy, so it's been quite a pleasure."
2. What is it like to play in front of your two kids?
"Oh, it's the best! The first time I played a game in front of my son it was … the game was different. You just see the game in a different light again, and I started to enjoy it more. When Zoey, my second born, came, the exact same thing happened, just even more. I started to enjoy the game even more and just play for fun. It felt like my game started to get a little bit better from that. To come to the rink and see them on the glass at warm-up and see them in the stands, there is just nothing better."
3. I heard you can speak French. How did you become bilingual?
"I grew up with it. My mother's side of the family is all French-speaking, for the most part -- all bilingual, but mostly French-speaking. I went to French school my entire life, like full French. If you got caught speaking English, you would get sent to detention. I'm in the process of teaching my little guy how to speak French also, he's picking up words here and there. It's going to be tough, but you have to start them young."
4. I've seen on social media you enjoy traveling. What has been your favorite place you have traveled to?
"My wife and I really enjoyed our time in Spain. I got to do a little bit more than she did, but we ended up meeting in Barcelona and we went to Menorca for a week and that was phenomenal. It was so much fun. A while ago, I took a trip with a buddy of mine to Africa for 25 days, and that was pretty spectacular. I desperately want to bring my wife there, but it's tough to leave with a couple of little kids for that long of a time."
5. What is one thing that you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
"Lots of things, but I think I wish I had a shorter memory back then and was able to let things go. I figured that out now, but that short memory back then could have really helped back when I was 20."
