Brendan Gaunce poses for a photo after being picked by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the NHL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 22, 2012.Reuters
Vancouver Canucks signed 2012 first-round draft pick Brendan Gaunce to a contract Monday.
The centre from Markham, Ont., recorded 68 points (28-40) and added 68 penalty minutes in 68 games with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League last season.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Gaunce represented Canada at the 2011 under-18 world junior championship where he collected four points (1-3) in seven games.
The Canucks took Gaunce 26th overall at June's draft.