Gaunce, 28, has recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points with 59 penalty minutes and 186 shots, while averaging 10:34 of ice time in 148 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets, Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks since making his League debut in 2015. He set single-season career highs in goals and points with 5-2-7, 12 penalty minutes and 44 shots on 8:06 of ice time in 30 appearances with the Blue Jackets in 2021-22 after signing a one-year, two-way with the club as a free agent to a one-year, two-way NHL/AHL contract on July 30, 2021.
"Brendan is a competitive forward with good size who can play both the center and wing," said Kekalainen. "He played well last season and brings versatility and depth to our forward group."
Gaunce was originally selected by Vancouver in the first round, 26th overall, at the 2012 NHL Draft. He notched 1-0-1 in 20 games with the Canucks in his first NHL campaign in 2015-16. He set career highs in assists, penalty minutes and games played with 0-5-5 and 33 PIM in 57 outings with the club in 2016-17 before registering 4-2-6 in 37 appearances in 2017-18.
The 6-2, 217-pound native of Sudbury, Ontario has collected 82-94-176, 165 penalty minutes, 14 power play goals, 18 game-winning goals and 703 shots in 280 career games with the Cleveland Monsters, Providence Bruins and Utica Comets since making his pro debut in 2014-15. He racked up 16-12-28 with 28 penalty minutes, four PPG and 118 shots in 39 contests with the Monsters in 2021-22.
Gaunce spent the 2020-21 campaign with the Vaxjo Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League, combining for 8-11-19 in 30 games in the regular season and playoffs to help the club capture the SHL championship. He racked up 103-133-236 and 211 penalty minutes in 258 career games with the Belleville Bulls and Erie Otters from 2010-14, serving as Belleville's captain from 2012-14. He also represented Canada at the 2012 IIHF U18 World Championships and 2011 U17 World Hockey Challenge.
