Blue Jackets Acquire Brendan Gaunce From Wild in Player Trade

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Blue Jackets traded for forward Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild on Thursday in exchange for forward Cameron Butler.

Gaunce, 31, joins Columbus after spending one season with Minnesota, where he played 12 NHL games, contributing one assist and receiving four penalty minutes. Throughout his NHL career, which began in the 2015-16 season, he has played 189 games, recording 13 goals and 16 assists for a total of 29 points.

Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, Gaunce was selected 26th overall by Vancouver in the 2012 NHL Draft. He was signed by Columbus as a free agent in July 2021, where he tallied 7 goals and 5 assists in three seasons, peaking in the 2021-22 season with a career-high of seven points.

In addition to his NHL experience, Gaunce has an extensive AHL record, having played 382 games, where he scored 123 goals and assisted on 139 for a total of 262 points. He served as captain of the Cleveland Monsters during the 2023-24 season.

Butler, 23, made his NHL debut with the Blue Jackets on March 30, 2024. His time with the Cleveland Monsters included 91 games, where he amassed 4 goals and 7 assists, alongside 145 penalty minutes. His trade marks a fresh start as he seeks more playing time with Iowa in the AHL.

As Gaunce prepares for his second stint with the Blue Jackets, he aims to contribute significantly to the team’s success.