Glenn Gawdin


Scouts and managers will often tell you that point totals can be deceiving.

A player could partially be the product of the talent around him or the system his team plays.

In Glenn Gawdin's case the numbers speak for themselves. The Richmond, BC native finished with 58 goals and 90 points for the Seafair Islanders Bantam A1 Team. That's 43 goals and 51 points more than anyone else on his team.

It also explains why a young player who describes himself as a playmaker ended up lighting the lamp so often.

"We didn't have that strong of a team... so I kind of hand to score some more goals," Gawdin said. "I just like to make the players around me better and hopefully they make me better too."

The Swift Current Broncos are banking on him doing just that after taking Gawdin with their first round pick, fifth overall in Thursday's WHL Bantam Draft.

"He's a big centre (with a) right handed shot" said Broncos Assistant General Manager Jamie Porter. "He's the guy we've been targeting for the last few weeks at least. Skilled, good sized, right handed shooting centremen are hard to find."

It's an important pick for the Broncos as they search for their next franchise forward. After picking defencemen with each of their last three first round picks, Swift Current felt they needed an impact forward this time around. They haven't picked a forward this high since drafting Cody Eakin sixth overall in 2006.
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"I was really impressed with him," said Broncos Coach/GM Mark Lamb. "The size is one thing and then you put the package together. He's an excellent skater, he's got great hands, he's got unbelievable stats and he plays with an edge. It's the identity that we're building... he fits right in."

Gawdin is listed at 6'0 and 172lbs with a lot of room to grow as Lamb noted both Gawdin's brother and father are 6'4. With that kind of size and a penchant for playmaking, it's not surprising that the newest Bronco compares himself to a Shark.

"I like to say Joe Thornton," Gawdin said. "He's a bigger guy kinda like me, he's a pass first guy as well, I just like the way he plays and I try to play like him."

For Bronco fans the prospect of drafting a BC born forward in the first round brings with it a certain amount of skepticism. The decision by 2008 first round pick Evan Richardson to pass on the WHL and committ to NCAA hockey left some fans nervous about adding any players from the west coast. Playing in the prairies doesn't seem to be an issue for Gawdin.

"I've kind of always wanted to and my dad has too," Gawdin said. "He kind of said it will toughen me up. It will definately be a new experience and I'm looking forward to it."

As for playing in the WHL itself, Gawdin believes the league suites his style and he has always dreamed about playing at the major junior level.

The success or failure of the pick and this draft class wont' be determined for several years now. Gawdin is only eligible to join the Broncos full time for the 2013-2014 season. Fans will likely get their first look at him during training camp at the send of the summer.

Click here to see the rest of the Broncos class of 2012, plus full interviews with players and management

Interview with Glenn Gawdin: