Blue Jackets bring back F Brendan Gaunce in trade with Wild

Field Level Media|published: Thu 26th June, 17:57 2025

Mar 19, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Brendan Gaunce (21) lines up for a face-off against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

Columbus acquired former Blue Jackets forward Brendan Gaunce from the Minnesota Wild on Thursday in exchange for minor league forward Cameron Butler.

Gaunce, 31, collected one assist, four penalty minutes, seven blocked shots and 18 hits in 12 games last season, his lone campaign with the Wild.

For his career, Gaunce has 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists), 71 penalty minutes, 52 blocked shots and 295 hits in 189 regular-season games with the Vancouver Canucks (2015-19), Boston Bruins (2019-20), Blue Jackets (2021-24) and Wild.

Butler, 23, appeared in one game with the Blue Jackets on March 30, 2024, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This past season, Butler recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and 74 penalty minutes in 37 games with AHL Cleveland.

--Field Level Media