Erik Gudbranson

Erik Gudbranson (born on January 7, 1992) is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

He was selected third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Junior Hockey Career
Erik 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.

He was drafted by the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round (fourth overall) in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection.

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

He 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, he 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, Erik was awarded the Bobby Smith Trophy (which is an award that is named to the OHL Scholastic Player of the Year).

NHL Career
Erik made the Florida Panthers for the 2011-12 NHL season. On October 8, 2011, he made his NHL debut against the New York Islanders.

On December 2, 2011, he picked up his first point of his NHL career against the Los Angeles Kings with an assist.

On December 11, 2011, Erik scored his first NHL goal against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers during a 6-1 loss.

Overall, he had two goals and eight points in 72 games, helping the Panthers reach the playoffs for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.

In the post-season, Erik was held pointless in seven games, as Florida lost to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

In the lockout shortened 2012-13 season, he appeared in 32 games with Florida, earning four assists as the club failed to reach the playoffs.

International Play
Erik was invited to take part in Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team selection camp and was eventually named to the team.

He helped Canada win the silver medal in the World Juniors Championship in 2010-2011.

Personal Life
Erik has two younger brothers: Alex and Dennis. Alex was selected by the Kingston Frotenacs in the first round of the OHL Priority Selection Draft and currently plays in the OHL for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Dennis is a survivor of leukemia.