(Posted 8:30 a.m., June 24)
Orléans hockey prospect ready for the biggest day of his life
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Chapel Hill South resident Erik Gudbranson is expected to be selected as high as third in Friday's NHL entry draft. File photo

Tomorrow will be the biggest day in Eric Gudbranson's life. The 18-year-old Chapel Hill South resident is widely regarded as the top defenceman available in this year's NHL entry draft and he could be selected as high as third..

"It's a dream come true," Gudbranson said during a telephone interview from the Ottawa International Airport on Wednesday. "I've been playing hockey for 15 years and to get to this point -- two days away from being drafted into the NHL -- it's just surreal."

Gudbranson, who got his start in the Gloucester Rangers organization, has been plying his trade for the Kingston Frontenacs for the past two years. He really came into prominence in January, 2009 when he captained Team Canada to a gold medal at the U17 World Championships.

He was also a member of the U18 team that won a gold medal at the Ivan Hlinka tournament last August and placed a disappointing 7th at the World Championships in April.

Gudbranson's sophomore season got off to a rough start when he suffered a minor knee injury that kept him out of the Frontenacs lineup for a month. Mononucleosis then forced him out of the lineup for another 41 games. He finally got to play again on Feb. 3. Fortunately the injury and illness didn't hurt his stock among NHL Scouts who had him in their top five all year.

Depending on whether he's selected third, fourth or fifth, he could end up in either Florida, Columbus or the New York Islanders. At this point with less than 48 hours to go before the draft, Gudbranson isn't too concerned where he ends up. The only thing that matters is that all the hard work and early morning practices are about to payoff by being selected in the first round.

"I know I'm in a very good spot. Anywhere in the Top 5 is fine with me. I've worked hard for what I've accomplished. I'm just trying to soak it all in right now and enjoy the whole experience," said Gudbranson who is regarded as an intelligent, puck moving defenceman with tremendous leadership skills and a bit of mean streak when needed

Many hockey experts predict he will eventually wear a "C" on his chest wherever he ends up. He will certainly be one of the smartest players on his team. In April, he received the Bobby Smith Award handed out to the OHL's Scholastic Player of the Year.

Although Gudbranson attended École secondaire Milles-Iles in Kingston for most of the year, he spent the last two months at École secondaire publique Louis-Riel where he wrote his final exam last week.

In his last semester at Milles-Iles he had an 80 per cent average including a top-mark of 87 per cent in math. He also had 83 per cent in advanced functions, 83 per cent in change and social challenges, 80 per cent in history, 75 per cent in French, and 72 per cent in English.

Gudbranson's maturity level has a lot to do with his having to be a surrogate parent to his younger siblings Chantal, 10, and Alex, 15, while their brother Dennis, 13, was battling cancer in 2005.

After being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in April 2004, Dennis underwent months of chemotherapy treatment which seemed to work until he was rediagnosed with cancer in April 2005. His only hope was a bone marrow transplant which he received that same summer after a female donor was found in Newfoiundland.

"I think that whole experience really helped me. It made me a better person and it made me a better player. Hockey was my oasis," says Gudbranson..

When his name is called out at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Gudbranson will have his own cheering section made up of his entire family, his minor hockey coach Mike Roy and a smattering of friends who are making the trip for the big occasion.

If the whole experience is surreal for Erik, it's even more so for his parents. The couple has a lot to be thankful about. All four of their kids are exceptional students. Alex was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the recent OHL draft and Dennis will be celebrating his fifth year in remission in August.

"We feel so blessed. We really do," says Leith-Gudbranson. "We're very fortunate, but at the same time the kids all worked really hard. We're extremely proud parents."

Erik Gudbranson has promised to buy his parent a new roof for the house once he signs his first professional contract. Leith-Gudbranson would prefer a new garage door to replace the one that's been rendered inoperable after being hit by hundreds if not thousands of slapshots over the years.

While being selected in the Top 5 of the entry draft does not guarantee a spot in the show, it usually a pretty good indication they'll be given every opportunity to make the roster.

If Gudbranson doesn't crack an NHL lineup in his first year, he'll have a chance to play with his brother on the Frontenacs and will be a shoe-in to make the World Junior team next December. Either way, Erik knows he's a winner already, but if you're a betting man odds are he'll be wearing an NHL jersey when the season begins on Oct. 7.

'(Posted 8:30 a.m., June 22)

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