Erik Gudbranson

Erik Gudbranson (born January 7, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected third overall by the Panthers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Junior

Gudbranson grew up playing minor hockey for the Gloucester Rangers AA rep teams in the ODHA before playing AAA Minor Midget in the OEMHL with the Ottawa Jr. 67's.

Gudbranson was drafted by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Kingston Frontenacs in the first round, fourth overall in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

In his rookie season with Kingston in 2008–09, Gudbranson had three goals and 22 points in 63 games with the rebuilding Frontenacs, who failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Gudbranson then missed 27 games due to mononucleosis in the 2009–10 season, as he appeared in 41 games with the Frontenacs, scoring two goals and 23 points. In the playoffs, Gudbranson had a goal and two assists in seven games as Kingston lost to the Brampton Battalion in the first round of the playoffs. After the season, Gudbranson was awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy, an award given to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year.