In his first professional season, in 2010–11, Gaunce was assigned to Colorado's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. After 54 games with the Monsters, he was called up to the NHL and made his NHL debut in Colorado's 5–3 defeat against the Nashville Predators on February 12, 2011.[3] In his third game with the Avalanche, he scored his first NHL goal and point against Marc-André Fleury and the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3–2 loss on February 16.[4]
During the 2012–13 season, while playing with the Monsters and in the final year of his entry-level contract, on April 2, 2013, Gaunce was traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Tomáš Vincour.[5] On December 17, 2013, Gaunce was called up to the Stars.[6]
In September 2014, after failing to make the Stars' NHL roster out of training camp, Gaunce was assigned to Dallas' AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars.[citation needed]
On July 1, 2015, after he was not tendered a qualifying offer to remain with the Stars, Gaunce signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers.[7] Gaunce was assigned to add leadership to Florida's AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates, for the duration of the 2015–16 season. He responded by setting career-high numbers offensively with 37 points in 75 games.[citation needed]
On July 1, 2016, as a free agent, Gaunce signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.[8] In the 2016–17 season, he began playing in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. With Pittsburgh suffering a depleted blueline through injury, Gaunce was recalled and eclipsed his previous efforts in the NHL to record a career-high 1 goal and 4 points in 12 games.[citation needed]
On July 1, 2017, as a free agent for the third straight year, Gaunce signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.[9] In the 2017–18 season, after attending the Blue Jackets' training camp, Gaunce was reassigned to Columbus' AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. In making his return to his first professional club in the Monsters, Gaunce added a veteran presence on the blueline and led the defence in scoring with 21 assists and 24 points.[citation needed]
On July 1, 2018, Gaunce signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.[10]
Following two productive seasons within the Lightning organizations, Gaunce left as a free agent leading into the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season. Unable to secure an NHL deal, Gaunce agreed to a one-year AHL contract with the Ontario Reign, affiliate to the Los Angeles Kings, on January 28, 2021.[11] In the shortened AHL season, Gaunce contributed with 3 goals and 13 points in 24 games. In his second season with the Reign in the 2021–22 season, Gaunce featured regularly in 61 regular season games, collecting 7 goals and 27 points. He played in all five playoff games with the Reign in their divisional semi-final defeat to the Colorado Eagles.
On July 27, 2022, Gaunce opted to return for a third season with the Reign, re-signing to a one-year contract.[12]
Personal
Gaunce's younger brother Brendan currently plays as a left winger in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization. Brendan, who was selected second overall by the Belleville Bulls in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, was selected in the first round, 26th overall, by the Canucks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[13]
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