Islanders 2012 Draft Central - Matthew Finn and Brendan Gaunce

In the days leading up to the NHL Draft, newyorkislanders.com will break down the top 50 eligible prospects

Wednesday, 06.13.2012 / 12:00 AM / Islanders 2012 Draft Central

By Travis Betts

Matthew Finn
Guelph Storm, OHL

Position:	D	Shoots:	Left
Height:	6'0"	Born:	24-Feb-94
Weight:	195	Hometown:	Etobicoke, ONT

2011-12	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
Guelph	61	10	37	47	58

Brendan Gaunce
Belleville Bulls, OHL

Position:	C	Shoots:	Left
Height:	6'2"	Born:	25-Mar-94
Weight:	215	Hometown:	Markham, ONT

2011-12	GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
Belleville	68	28	40	68	68

Matthew Finn led all Guelph Storm defensemen with 47 points (10 goals, 37 assists) in 61 games last season, more than doubling his offensive output from the year before. Finn runs the power play and though he just turned 18 years old toward the end of the season, he has already stepped up as a leader on the ice. The Etobicoke, ONT native is not the most dynamic defenseman available in the draft, but he has a high hockey IQ and his stock has risen greatly in the last year.

Brendan Gaunce is a big, strong center who tallied 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 68 games for the Belleville Bulls in 2011-12. Gaunce represented Canada at the 2012 Under-18 World Junior Championship, as well as the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where he scored a goal and an assist in the final against Sweden. The Markham, ONT native is not the strongest skater available, but his intangibles (positioning, ability to win puck battles) and 6’2”, 215-pound frame makes him a likely mid-first round selection.

Ryan Strome, Islanders first round pick in 2011
I think Matthew Finn is probably one of the most underrated guys. I played with him a little bit growing up in minor hockey. He’s a real big guy, good with the puck, and good defensively. He was counted on heavily in Guelph. I think he really goes under the radar and can be one of the best defensemen in the OHL next year.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development
Matthew Finn is a skilled, all-purpose style of defenseman. With this player you get a little of everything.

Ryan Strome, Islanders first round pick in 2011
Brendan Gaunce is a real good two-way center. He was pretty tough to play against. He’s a big body, kind of a power forward, but he’s got pretty good skill. He was a leader on that team and probably their best player this year.

Trent Klatt, Islanders Player Development
Brendan Gaunce is a big, powerful player. He has a good skill set and has shown an ability to play both center and wing. He will play in his own zone as well.

Click here for Islanders 2012 Draft Central's breakdown of the top-50 players available in this year's draft.

Matthew Finn (left) of the Guelph Storm and Brendan Gaunce (right) of the Belleville Bulls are the #18 and #17 ranked draft prospects.

Edmonton Oilers
2.

Columbus Blue Jackets
3.

Montreal Canadiens
4.

New York Islanders
5.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Round 1 - 4th overall
Round 2 - 34th overall
Round 3 - 65th overall
Round 4 - 103rd overall (from BUF)
Round 5 - 125th overall
Round 6 - 155th overall
Round 7 - 185th overall

Islanders last five first-round picks
2011: Ryan Strome (5th overall)
2010: Nino Niederreiter (5th overall)
2009: John Tavares (1st overall)
2008: Josh Bailey (9th overall)
2006: Kyle Okposo (7th overall)

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