Reaction, Backround Information, and Comparisons
The Canucks created an evening’s worth of speculation surrounding the goaltending situation in Vancouver, but kept their calm and both of their goaltenders on Friday, electing to simply add to their roster during the first round.
Canucks NHL Draft Analysis
With the 26th pick in the 2012 entry draft, the Vancouver Canucks selected center Brendan Gaunce from the Belleville Bulls.
The 6-foot-2, 210 pound 18 year old from Sudbury, Ontario is a big center with big-time intangibles, and was one of the highest ranked Canadian centers heading into the draft according to TSN.
Brendan comes from a hockey family, following in the footsteps of older brother Cameron Gaunce who currently plays in the Colorado Avalanche organization.
First the History lesson…
Good Gordie, Lawrence Gilman with the history lesson, dropped the heart of a Canuck line re: Stan Smyl and retired numbers..
— Kevin Vanstone (@KevinVanstone) June 23, 2012
Then finally the Canucks announced the pick.
26th pick: #Canucks select Brendan Gaunce. #NHLDraft
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) June 23, 2012
he walks onto the stage…
Newest #Canuck to the roster. Welcome, Brendan Gaunce! twitter.com/VanCanucks/sta…
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) June 23, 2012
First Canucks interview…
Brendan Gaunce meets with the media after being selected by the #Canucks 26th overall in the 2012 Entry Draft – video.canucks.nhl.com/videocenter/co…
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) June 23, 2012
Here’s reaction from the team at NWSB.
@brendangaunce16 Welcome to the #Vancouver #Canucks Your life is about to change forever. Best of luck with your career.
— Northwest SportsBeat (@NWSportsBeat) June 23, 2012
Vancouver #Canucks draft Brendan Gaunce with No. 26 pick #nhldraftinstagr.am/p/MM1Vq7JjTd/
— Northwest SportsBeat (@NWSportsBeat) June 23, 2012
So the #Canucks came out with the highest ranked Canadian forward? Yeah, I’m OK with that.
— Kevin Vanstone (@KevinVanstone) June 23, 2012
I bet @brendangaunce16 is going to come out a year from now & clarify for everyone his name is BrEndon & it’s pronounced GOWNCE! #canucks
— Josh Hall (@vancan19) June 23, 2012
#Vancouver – Meet BRENDAN GAUNCE -nwsportsbeat.com/canucks/vancou… via @nwsportsbeat @brendangaunce16 #canucks #NHLDraft
— Josh Hall (@vancan19) June 23, 2012
Richard apparently wasn’t watching the draft…
i won $2 on a $2 scratch ticket
— Richard Hodges (@prfctsoundforvr) June 22, 2012
Fans and media members responded positively to the pick over Twitter, despite the lack of action on the trade front.
Canuck pick Brendan Gaunce impressive w media. Direct, earnest, articulate. At times, funny. If hockey IQ same, VAN has a player.
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacVanSun) June 23, 2012
Brendan Gaunce described as one of the most physically ready players in draft. I wonder…*checks background* Gary Roberts training.Knew it.
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) June 23, 2012
Oooo I kind of love this pick after taking a minute to read up on him. YAY! #Guance
— Alix (@alixiswright37) June 23, 2012
Searched for the word “dive” in twitter searches for Brendan Gaunce. Only 4 results. Surprised by the lack of #canucks hate #embracethehate
— Ken Leech (@TheKeslord) June 23, 2012
However there is one player comparison that troubled some skeptical fans.
The comparisons between Gaunce and Hodgson are there. Bad first-step, but has leadership qualities and two-way ability. #Canucks
— Matt Lee (@mattlee61) June 23, 2012
Brendan Gaunce sounds like great character guy. That’s what Mike Gillis told us Cody Hodgson was, until he told he wasn’t.
— HockeyLegends (@HockeyLegends) June 23, 2012
If you missed out on Laurence Gilman’s history lesson and all the other live entertainment last night at the draft, be sure to check out the links below for some home-schooling material on Gaunce.
#Canucks fans, you can follow @brendangaunce16 right here! #NHLDraft
— Josh Hall (@vancan19) June 23, 2012
Asked to describe his style of play, Gaunce called himself an “honest two-way player” who “takes pride” in his defensive game. #Canucks
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) June 23, 2012
Meet Canuck draft pick Brendan Gaunce. Lousy at trumpet, good at hockey. You’ll like him. tinyurl.com/6vvnnzq
— Iain MacIntyre (@imacVanSun) June 23, 2012
New PHT -Get to know a draft pick — Brendan Gaunce dlvr.it/1lhRGF
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdonPHT) June 22, 2012
An interview with Brendan Gaunce after his selection last night. sbn.to/KEMj3S
— Canucks Misconduct (@nucksmisconduct) June 23, 2012
OK. I lied. Last tweet. Promise.@vancanucks talks with 1st Rd pick Brendan Gaunce & his parents Stephen & Julie youtu.be/tpabtM0EO5M
— Joey Kenward (@kenwardskorner) June 23, 2012
For more on Brendan Gaunce in his own words, check out this blog post from earlier in the season: bit.ly/O3IN48
— Pass it to Bulis (@passittobulis) June 23, 2012
More analysis – predictions and schedule thoughts to come soon on the Canucks blog.
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