Erik Gudbranson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Erik Gudbranson
Pittsburgh Penguins player Erik Gudbranson 2019-04-14.jpg
Gudbranson with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2019
Born (1992-01-07) January 7, 1992 (age 30)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Calgary Flames
Florida Panthers
Vancouver Canucks
Pittsburgh Penguins
Anaheim Ducks
Ottawa Senators
Nashville Predators
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 3rd overall, 2010
Florida Panthers
Playing career 2011–present

Erik Donald Stanley Gudbranson (born January 7, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing under contract with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Gudbranson has previously played for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators and Nashville Predators.

Playing career[]

Junior[]

Kingston Frontenacs[]

Gudbranson grew up playing minor hockey for the Gloucester Rangers AA rep teams in the ODHA before playing AAA Minor Midget in the OEMHL with the Ottawa Jr. 67's. He was drafted by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Kingston Frontenacs in the first round, fourth overall, in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection Draft.

In his rookie season with Kingston in 2008–09, Gudbranson had 3 goals and 22 points in 63 games with the rebuilding Frontenacs, who failed to qualify for the playoffs. He recorded his first career OHL point, getting two assists in a 6–2 loss to the Belleville Bulls on October 1. Gudbranson scored his first career OHL goal on January 23 against Jaroslav Janus of the Erie Otters in a 6–5 overtime loss.

Gudbranson then missed 27 games due to mononucleosis in the 2009–10 season, as he appeared in 41 games with the Frontenacs, scoring 2 goals and 23 points. In the playoffs, Gudbranson had a goal and two assists in seven games as Kingston lost to the Brampton Battalion in the first round of the playoffs. After the season, Gudbranson was awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy, an award given to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.[1]

Gudbranson returned to Kingston for the 2010–11 season, where he saw a big improvement in his offensive numbers. Gudbranson scored 12 goals and 34 points in 44 games with Kingston, helping the club to the playoffs. In the playoffs, Gudbranson had a goal and four points in five games as the Frontenacs lost to the Oshawa Generals in the first round.

Professional[]

Florida Panthers[]

Gudbranson with the Florida Panthers in 2012

Gudbranson made the Florida Panthers team for the 2011–12 season and made his NHL debut against the New York Islanders on October 8, 2011. He earned the first point of his NHL career on December 2, 2011, against the Los Angeles Kings, an assist. He scored his first NHL goal against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers during a 6–1 loss on December 11, 2011. At the end of the season, Gudbranson had two goals and eight points in 72 games, helping the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 1999–2000 season. In the playoffs, Gudbranson was held pointless in seven games as Florida lost to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals round.

In the 48-game, lock-out-shortened 2012–13 season, Gudbranson appeared in 32 games with Florida, earning four assists, as the club failed to reach the playoffs.

In the 2013–14 season, Gudbranson appeared in 65 games, scoring three goals and providing six assists. His defensive partner for the majority of the season was captain Ed Jovanovski, though he also spent time partnered with Dylan Olsen.

During the 2014–15 season, Gudbranson played in 76 games, scoring four goals and 13 points, both career highs. However, the Panthers failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Gudbranson played in 64 games in the 2015–16 season, scoring two goals and nine points, helping Florida into the playoffs for the first time since 2012. During the playoffs, Gudbranson was held off the score sheet in six games, as Florida lost to the New York Islanders in the first round (who won their first playoff series since 1993).

On May 25, 2016, Gudbranson was traded along with a 2016 fifth-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Jared McCann and both a second- and fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[2]

Vancouver Canucks[]

Gudbranson joined the Vancouver Canucks for the 2016–17 season. He appeared in his first game with the Canucks on October 15, receiving 18:42 of ice time in a 2–1 shootout win over the Calgary Flames. On October 18, 2016, Gudbranson recorded his first point with the Canucks, an assist on a goal by Bo Horvat, in a 2–1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Gudbranson scored his first goal with Vancouver on December 8 in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring against Ben Bishop in a 5–1 victory.

In an away game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 5, 2016, rookie Troy Stecher took a hit by Leaf enforcer Matt Martin in the third period, prompting a line brawl.[3] Following the game, Gudbranson yelled, "Matt Martin's dead. Everyone can hear that now. F—— dead" on his way to the Canucks' dressing room. He later apologized.[4]

On December 19, Gudbranson underwent season-ending wrist surgery; he had one goal and five assists in 30 games up to that point.[5]

On June 15, 2017, Gudbranson signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract extension with the Canucks for the 2017–18 season.[6]

On October 19, 2017, Gudbranson was assessed a five-minute major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct for a hit on Boston Bruins forward Frank Vatrano. On October 20, 2017, Gudbranson was given a one-game suspension for the hit.[7]

On February 20, 2018, Gudbranson signed a three-year, $12 million contract extension with the Canucks.[8]

Pittsburgh Penguins[]

After playing in 57 games for Vancouver, and recording 8 points, Gudbranson was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 25, 2019, in exchange for Tanner Pearson.[9]

On April 12, Gudbranson recorded his first Stanley Cup playoff point, a goal assisted by Evgeni Malkin, during the Penguins' first-round loss to the New York Islanders.

Anaheim Ducks[]

On October 25, 2019, after playing in seven games with the Penguins to open the 2019–20 season, Gudbranson was traded by Pittsburgh to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Andreas Martinsen and a 2021 seventh-round pick.[10] Gudbranson found a role on the Ducks blueline, matching a career-high four goals in just 44 games with Anaheim before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ottawa Senators[]

On October 8, 2020, Gudbranson was traded to his hometown Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2021 fifth-round draft pick.[11] He was named as an alternate captain ahead of the season, along with Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk.[12] In the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, adding a veteran presence to the Senators blueline, Gudbranson collected 1 goal and 3 points through 36 regular season games.

Nashville Predators[]

On April 12, 2021, Gudbranson was traded by the Senators at the trade deadline to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 7th round draft pick in 2023 and minor league defenseman Brandon Fortunato.[13]

Calgary Flames[]

On September 10, 2021, Gudbranson as a free agent joined his seventh NHL club, in signing a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Calgary Flames.[14]

International play[]

Erik Me.png
Medal record
Representing Canada Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2011 USA
Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
Gold medal – first place 2009 Slovakia

Gudbranson was invited to take part in Canada's 2011 National Junior Team selection camp.[15] He was eventually named to the team. He helped Canada win the silver medal in the World Juniors Championship in 2010–11.

Personal life[]

Gudbranson's younger brother Alex was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection Draft.[16] Alex currently plays with the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL. Gudbranson's youngest brother, Dennis, is a leukemia survivor.[1] His sister, Chantal, is a graduate of the University of Guelph with a degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology and also played hockey for the Guelph Gryphons. [17] Gudbranson is a supporter of Canadian Blood Services and promotes stem cell donation as a result of his brother's battle with leukemia.[18]

Career statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08 Ottawa Jr. 67's AAA HEO U16 28 11 14 25 24 8 1 4 5 8
2008–09 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 63 3 19 22 69 — — — — —
2009–10 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 41 2 21 23 68 7 1 2 3 6
2010–11 Kingston Frontenacs OHL 44 12 22 34 105 5 1 3 4 10
2011–12 Florida Panthers NHL 72 2 6 8 78 7 0 0 0 8
2012–13 Florida Panthers NHL 32 0 4 4 47 — — — — —
2012–13 San Antonio Rampage AHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Florida Panthers NHL 65 3 6 9 114 — — — — —
2014–15 Florida Panthers NHL 76 4 9 13 58 — — — — —
2015–16 Florida Panthers NHL 64 2 7 9 49 6 0 0 0 2
2016–17 Vancouver Canucks NHL 30 1 5 6 18 — — — — —
2017–18 Vancouver Canucks NHL 52 2 3 5 35 — — — — —
2018–19 Vancouver Canucks NHL 57 2 6 8 83 — — — — —
2018–19 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 19 0 2 2 4 4 1 0 1 2
2019–20 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 7 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2019–20 Anaheim Ducks NHL 44 4 5 9 91 — — — — —
2020–21 Ottawa Senators NHL 36 1 2 3 47 — — — — —
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 9 0 1 1 12 2 0 0 0 0
NHL totals 563 21 56 77 640 19 1 0 1 12

International[]

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Canada Ontario U17 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 2 2 4 0
2009 Canada WJC18 4th 6 1 3 4 0
2010 Canada WJC18 7th 6 0 1 1 4
2011 Canada WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 3 2 5 4
2014 Canada WC 5th 8 1 0 1 6
Junior totals 25 6 8 14 8
Senior totals 8 1 0 1 6

References[]

  1. ^ a b Tieja MacLaughlin. "Erik Gudbranson: Third pick's the charm". The Good Point. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
  2. ^ "Panthers trade Gudbranson to Canucks for McCann". nhl.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  3. ^ "Martin Putting Targets on Leafs' Rookies?". The Hockey Writers. November 8, 2016.
  4. ^ "'Fit of rage' led to Erik Gudbranson's postgame threat toward Matt Martin". Yahoo!sports. December 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Erik Gudbranson to Undergo Wrist Surgery". Vancouver Canucks. December 18, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  6. ^ "Canucks sign Erik Gudbranson to contract extension". Vancouver Canucks. June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  7. ^ "Canucks' Erik Gudbranson suspended 1 game for hit from behind". cbc.ca. October 20, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "Gudbranson signed to three-year extension". NHL.com. February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  9. ^ "Canucks trade Erik Gudbranson to Penguins for Tanner Pearson". sportsnet.ca. February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
  10. ^ "Ducks acquire Gudbranson from Pittsburgh". Anaheim Ducks. October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "Ottawa Senators acquire defenseman Erik Gudbranson" (Press release). Ottawa Senators. October 8, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020 – via nhl.com.
  12. ^ "Chabot, Gudbranson, Tkachuk named alternates". NHL.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  13. ^ "Predators acquire Erik Gudbranson from Ottawa". Nashville Predators. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  14. ^ "Flames sign Erik Gudbranson". Calgary Flames. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  15. ^ Hockey Canada Selection Camp: Team Profile[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ "Alex Gudbranson". eliteprospects.com. May 17, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  17. ^ "Chantal Gudbranson - 2018-19 - Hockey - Women". University of Guelph Athletics. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  18. ^ "Vancouver Canucks' Erik Gudbranson lends support to #MenGiveLife campaign". cbc.ca. September 9, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Florida Panthers first round draft pick
2010 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""