By Shawn McLeish

Brendan Gaunce cuts through the middle of the ice after crossing the blue line.  He snaps home an already NHL-caliber shot with 30 seconds left in overtime to cap off a Belleville Bulls 6-5 comeback win.  The crowd at the Yardmen Arena cheers wildly as the 6’2”, 205-pound Gaunce celebrates on the ice with his teammates.

That scene unfolded in early November.  It just so happens the overtime winner was Gaunce’s second goal of the game.  It was the first time in his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career he scored more than once in a game.  It’s unlikely to be the last time for a player whose 148 points led all minor-midget players in Ontario during the 2009-10 season.  That scoring touch, along with his leadership and across-the-board athletic ability, convinced the Bulls to use their first-round pick (second overall) in the 2010 OHL Draft to acquire Gaunce after his midget career.  Next June, an NHL team is likely to use its first draft choice on Gaunce for those same reasons.  He’s currently ranked as the 15^th best prospect, according to International Scouting Services. 

Gaunce says he needs to work on his skating to be successful at the pro level, but isn’t about to change the way he plays because of the added NHL draft scrutiny. 

“If scouts saw me and put me in the top 15, that’s great for myself,” Gaunce said.  “I think I have to keep playing the same game I am now to stay up there (on the NHL radar.)”

The 17-year-old Gaunce grew up in Markham, Ont.  Most days were spent outside playing sports with his older brother, Cameron.  The elder Gaunce, 21, starred for three OHL seasons with the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors and now plays with the Lake Erie Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL), so the competition was fierce.  Brendan credits these childhood road hockey games, when he was often one of the youngest participants, with teaching him tenacity.  He’s also quick to acknowledge his parents, Stephen and Julie, for some of his athletic gifts.  Julie played high-level field hockey and, according to Brendan, “that’s where we get our toughness from.”  Stephen also played football at St. Mary’s University and was a decent hockey player himself.   

Brendan has stopped playing other sports to focus on hockey, but he was active in soccer, volleyball, track, and football growing up.  On Markham District High School’s 2009 football team, Gaunce played both offence and defence and even kicked when the starting kicker was injured.  Brendan ended his gridiron career with a Metro Bowl win (the championship for teams from the GTA), the first title in the school’s history.         

Winning is a tradition for Gaunce and it’s something he wants to bring to the Bulls this season as part of his new role as assistant captain.  He considers wearing the ‘A’ on his sweater “an honour” and so far has led by example on and off the ice.  Bulls assistant coach Jason Supryka says Gaunce’s actions are what prove his leadership to teammates.

“He’s stuck up for guys and got into battles and different fights to defend guys,” Supryka says.

Gaunce and the returning Bulls don’t want to repeat last season’s struggles when the Bulls were 21-43-0-4 with a first-round exit in the playoffs.

“We learned how bad it feels to be losing night in and night out last year, and coming in this year, the guys had the attitude of wanting to change that and not go through it again,” said Gaunce. 

The losing last season was particularly hard for Gaunce as an OHL rookie who was accustomed to playing on successful teams. 

“It was pretty tough to lose, but it was harder to be away from home, and be losing, and having the negative attitude after games.  There’s not really any pick-me-ups,” he said. 

Gaunce would take walks with his dog, Rocky, to alleviate some frustration when he was in Markham, but Rocky didn’t make the move to Belleville.  Luckily, Gaunce billets with Bill and Phyllis Ferguson, who have helped make the transition a little easier. 

“They made it feel like home for me…like I was staying at my grandparents’ house,” Gaunce says.     

The Bulls currently sit tied with Ottawa atop of the OHL’s East Division at 17-9-0-0  and Gaunce has a team-leading 28 points, with 15 goals and 13 assists.  It’s not just on the ice he’s improving.  Supryka has noticed the change this season. 

“When kids come into the league, especially as a 16-year-old, often they’re overwhelmed.  Brendan is a true pro already at 17.  He knows how to handle himself in and around the arena.  He prepares very, very well,” says Supryka. 

Preparation is something Gaunce takes seriously, and it doesn’t begin and end with the hockey season.  The Bulls forward has worked out the past two summers at a training facility in Toronto, along with former OHL and current NHL stars Steven Stamkos and Jeff Skinner.  Gaunce takes this disciplined approach with everything in his life, including school.  He has a full-time load of 3 courses at Quinte Secondary School in Belleville while playing for the Bulls.  Guidance Counsellor Despina Standing discusses Gaunce, the student.  

“Brendan’s always smiling in the halls and very polite with staff and other students.  He’s also an excellent student.  With the demands on him, that’s quite an achievement (considering) how much time the OHL takes.  It shows he takes his studies seriously,” said Standing.

As a player, he puts winning ahead of anything else, and moving up to the next level will only take his preparation and work ethic to the next level also.  Brendan Gaunce’s life could change forever seven months from now in Pittsburgh at the NHL draft.  Don’t expect the added money or fame to go to his head, though.  Brendan supports local charities whenever possible and plans to take courses through Queen’s University next season if he’s unable to crack an NHL roster.