ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — He looks like an extra from Game of Thrones or someone who might be featured on a reality show about trappers in Alaska.
In other words, he looks mature, even a little bit weathered, which makes the fact Newfoundland Growlers’ defenceman Alex Gudbranson is still just 24 years all the more surprising.
“I started losing my hair pretty early, so that might be part of it, too” laughed Gudbranson, rubbing his hand over the top of a smooth round head.
But everything else about Gudbranson is level-headed. He’s no superstar, but he’s super steady. The Growlers didn’t hand out an unsung hero award at the end of the season, but if they had and had Gudbranson had received it, nobody would have been surprised.
But the native of Orleans, Ont., just outside Ottawa, doesn’t need a trophy to remind him of what he’s good at as a hockey player.
He actually already has a couple.
“When I was with Sault Ste. Marie, I won the team’s unsung hero of the year award twice, “ said Gudbranson, who played for the Soo Greyhounds after beginning his Ontario Hockey League career with the Kingston Frontenacs.
“And to be honest, I enjoy the role. For me, it’s not about the flash, it’s not about scoring goals. It’s not that scoring isn’t fun, but I know there are other guys who are better at it.”
The younger brother of Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman and 2010 NHL third overall pick Erik Gudbranson, the Growlers’ Gudbranson was never drafted, but has carved out a decent career at the minor-league level, split between the American Hockey League and ECHL.
Gudbranson had two goals, eight assists and a plus-eight rating in 55 regular-season games with Newfoundland, and has added two helpers and fashioned a plus-four in 20 playoff games for the Growlers, who take a 2-1 lead into tonight’s Game 4 of the Kelly Cup final in Toledo.
He also valuable professional experience to a team that features a bevy of rookies. Mind you, some of those rookies, like Marcus Power and Scott Pooley, are actually older than Gudbranson. But while the 6-2, 215-pound rearguard doesn’t turn 25 until September, he has already put in five full years as a pro and also enjoys the knowledge that comes with having been a Black Ace during the Toronto Marlies’ run to an AHL Calder Cup championship last spring.
“That taught me a lot, even though I didn’t play,” said Gudbranson, an assistant captain for Newfoundland. “It’s about having everyone with the same mindset, about being consistent, doing the little things right.”
“And that has to be my game, staying consistent, playing to the best of my ability, ready to take on the task at hand even when it’s not task you could describe as pretty.”
“But that’s actually the mindset of everyone on this team, whatever their ability, whatever their role and I think that’s why we’ve been successful. Guys know there jobs and they do them. That sounds simple, but it works.”
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