Gaunce, 27, has recorded two goals and three assists for five points with 36 penalty minutes in 32 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche since making his NHL debut during the 2010-11 campaign. Last season, he set career highs in assists, points and games played with 1-3-4, 13 penalty minutes and was +1 in 12 games with the Penguins. The 6-1, 210-pound defenseman added 2-11-13 with 38 penalty minutes and a +15 plus/minus rating in 49 AHL games with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
The Sudbury, Ontario native has notched 21-126-147 with 556 penalty minutes and a +66 plus/minus rating in 468 career AHL games with the Penguins, Portland Pirates, Texas Stars and Lake Erie Monsters. He helped the Stars capture the Calder Cup championship in 2014 with 0-4-4 in 18 playoff contests. Originally Colorado's second round selection, 50th overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft, Gaunce registered 33-108-141, 321 penalty minutes and was +56 in 185 career games in the Ontario Hockey League's Mississauga St. Michael's Majors from 2007-10.