Background
Gudbranson grew up playing minor hockey for the Gloucester Rangers Associate of Arts representative teams in the ODHA before playing American Automobile Association Minor Midget in the OEMHL with the Ottawa Junior.
Gudbranson grew up playing minor hockey for the Gloucester Rangers Associate of Arts representative teams in the ODHA before playing American Automobile Association Minor Midget in the OEMHL with the Ottawa Junior.
He was selected third overall by the Panthers in the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Junior
Gudbranson was drafted by the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)"s Kingston Frontenacs in the first round, fourth overall in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection. In his rookie season with Kingston in 2008-2009, Gudbranson had three goals and 22 points in 63 games with the rebuilding Frontenacs, who failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Gudbranson then missed 27 games due to mononucleosis in the 2009-2010 season, as he appeared in 41 games with the Frontenacs, scoring two goals and 23 points.
In the playoffs, Gudbranson had a goal and two assists in seven games as Kingston lost to the Brampton Battalion in the first round of the playoffs. Professional
Gudbranson made the Florida Panthers team for the 2011-2012 season and made his National Hockey League debut against the New York Islanders on October 8, 2011.
He picked up his first point of his National Hockey League career on December 2, 2011, against the Los Angeles Kings with an assistant He scored his first National Hockey League goal against Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers during a 6–1 loss on December 11, 2011.
In the post-season, Gudbranson was held pointless in seven games as Florida lost to the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Quarter-finals.
In the 48-game, lockout-shortened 2012-2013 season, Gudbranson appeared in 32 games with Florida, earning four assists, as the club failed to reach the playoffs. In the 2013-2014 season, Gudbranson appeared in 65 games, scoring three goals and providing six assists. Gudbranson was invited to take part in Canada’s 2011 National Junior Team selection camp.
Gudbranson was eventually named to the team
Gudbranson"s younger brother Alex was selected by the Kingston Frontenacs in the first round of the 2010 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Alex currently plays with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League.
Gudbranson"s youngest brother, Dennis is a leukemia survivor.