Gaunce was drafted 26th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, but never really transitioned into a regular NHLer. That said, the 32-year-old forward has 35 points (15G / 20A) in 214 career NHL games. He spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, scoring 36 points (16G / 20A) in 44 games with the Cleveland Monsters.
Injuries awarded Gaunce the opportunity to play 25 games with Columbus this season, his highest total since the 2021-22 campaign. The 31-year-old forward averaged 11:54 time-on-ice and scored six points (2G / 4A) with Columbus before being placed on waivers and ultimately returning to the AHL.
Gaunce has been a regular in the Blue Jackets' lineup lately, but he will be a healthy scratch after a -2 performance on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Gaunce has six points (2G / 4A) in 25 games this season.
Gaunce has been a lineup-regular for Columbus over the past couple of weeks, but he will exit the lineup on Thursday to tend to a personal matter. The 31-year-old Gaunce has four points (1G / 3A) in 12 games this season. Zach Aston-Reese will draw back into the Blue Jackets' lineup as Gaunce's replacement.
Gaunce is no stranger to the NHL, with 189 career games, but has yet to suit up for the Blue Jackets this season. The 31-year-old forward has six points (4G / 2A) with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. Luca Del Bel Belluz has been loaned to Cleveland in a corresponding move.
Columbus acquired a depth forward on Thursday after trading for Branden Gaunce from Minnesota for AHL forward Cameron Butler. Gaunce, 31, spent most of 2024-25 as a healthy scratch for the Wild, which led to him only putting up an assist and a -4 plus/minus in 12 games played. He returns to familiar territory in Columbus, where he spent three seasons between 2021-2024 and had 12 points in 59 games played.
With Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returning from prolonged absences due to injuries, Minnesota has reassigned Brendan Gaunce and Devin Shore to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 31-year-old Gaunce averaged 9:42 time-on-ice and scored one point (0G / 1A) in 12 games with Minnesota this season.
Gaunce will slot in for Marcus Foligno, who was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Gaunce is yet to register a point in seven games this season.
With Ryan Hartman returning to the lineup after an eight-game suspension, Gaunce will be sent to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Gaunce is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice and has zero points in seven games this season.
Gaunce will slot in for Devin Shore, who is a healthy scratch. Gaunce has played in five games this season and is yet to register a point.
Gaunce has 28 points (13G / 15A) in 182 career NHL games but has primarily been an AHL player this season, limited to only five contests with Minnesota. The 30-year-old forward has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 35 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.
Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.
Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.
Gaunce was recalled along with forward Liam Ohgren. Kirill Kaprizov was placed on long-term injured reserve and Marcus Johansson was placed on injured reserve in a pair of corresponding moves.
Gaunce will re-enter the press box after drawing into the lineup for Saturday's game in Carolina. Devin Shore re-enters the lineup in his place.
Gaunce was brought in as an extra player due to an illness running through the Minnesota roster but was not needed and will return to Iowa (AHL) on Tuesday. The 30-year-old veteran forward returns to the minors, where he has played well with 11 goals, 17 points and 12 PIMs in 22 games.
Gaunce has been in and out of Minnesota's lineup the past several weeks, recording zero points in five games. The 30-year-old has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in 22 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
