1-10 Of THN Future Watch Top 75 Prospects (4)

 4)

D. Erik Gudbranson (Panthers)

Age: 19
Date of birth: January 07, 1992
Place of birth: Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 195
Shoots: R
NHL Seasons: 0-R
Drafted by Florida in 2010 (1/3).

2010-2011 SEASON STATS:

2010-11  Kingston Frontenacs         OHL    41   11   21   32   96
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THN SCOUTING REPORT:
ASSETS: Has great size, physicality and leadership qualities. Can play a shutdown role with aplomb. Displays all-around potential, as well.
FLAWS: Needs to prove capable of staying healthy over the long haul, since he's battled both injury and illness during his formative years. 
CAREER POTENTIAL: Potential shutdown defender with leadership qualities.

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His Favorite Things (NHL.com):
NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens 
NHL Players: Shea Weber and Dion Phaneuf 
Shootout move: “Forehand, backhand, at the top of the circle, then shoot” 
Goal celebration: “A little fist pump and point to the passer” 
Video Game: NHL ‘10
Movie: Billy Madison  
TV Show: Two and a Half Men 
Actor: Adam Sandler 
Cartoon: Family Guy 
Pump-up song: Crawl by Breaking Benjamin 
Restaurant: Wooden Heads in Kingston 
Sport (other than hockey): Golf and baseball 
Breakfast food: Eggs, oatmeal and toast 
 
Superhero: Batman
• He won the 2009-10 Bobby Smith Trophy as the OHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year -- the trophy is given annually to the player who best combines high standards of play and academic excellence. A student at Ecole Secondaire Milles-Iles, Gudbranson maintained a six course schedule at the Grade 12 level.  • Gudbranson is the oldest of four hockey playing siblings: Alex (15) plays with the Ottawa Junior 67s minor-midget team and was drafted 10th overall by Kingston in this year’s OHL Priority Draft; Dennis (12) plays for the Gloucester Hawks Peewee team; and sister Chantal (10) plays on a boy’s hockey team.  • One of the biggest influences in his life has been his younger brother, Dennis, who has now beaten cancer twice: “He's battled through cancer, and had to go through the whole radiation, chemotherapy, and all the drugs. He's definitely a really tough kid and someone you have to look up to.” • A little known fact about Gudbranson is his musical ability -- he used to play the tenor saxophone and the drums. He is also currently learning to play the guitar.
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PATTYB NOTES: I LOVE this kid, I really think he will be a dominant NHL defenseman. He was my target for the Islanders heading into last years draft and I believe the Panthers got themselves a gem in Gudbranson. He is loaded with character, and has been through a lot of trying personal moments that have made him mature....I urge everyone to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srjmWksvAQI it really shows what type of kid Gudbranson is and his play is just as good as his strength as a person. He plays a gritty rough game and is just a beast on both sides of the puck. He should be in the NHL right now and he is a "give in" to play in the NHL next season.