Arctic Ice Hockey’s First Annual NHL Mock Draft: Pick #17

Hey all! Welcome to Arctic Ice Hockey's first annual NHL Mock Draft. Over the next thirty days, Ryan, Tim and myself will attempt to telepathically channel the minds of NHL General Managers as they complete their final rankings in preparation for the 2012 NHLDraft being held June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PA.

In some instances, our analysis will require less insight than others *cough* *Edmonton* *cough*.

So without further adieu, we present our loyal readers with the seventeenth overall pick of Arctic Ice Hockey's 2012 Mock Draft.

Doug Wilson: With the seventeenth overall selection in this years draft, the San Jose Sharks are pleased to select…

Rankings: CSS (13 NA), ISS (11), TSN (37), Hockey Prospectus (25)

The Skinny: Hey, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton aren’t getting any younger and the Sharks are lacking youth at the position. By drafting Gaunce they get a good two-way centre who projects into a first or second line centre in the future.

Hockey Prospectus:

Gaunce is a bulking two-way power forward who can also finish and distribute the puck at a high level. He is a really smart hockey player with tremendous instincts and vision on the ice. Even though he's an aggressive checker, he also has the ability to pull up along the side boards, control a power play and be a very effective distributor. Gaunce makes all the little plays consistently with his distribution game and he also is able to show the ability to see and make the difficult passes. Gaunce is a strong player and you see it in his shooting ability as he really leans into his wrist and slap shots, showing plus finishing ability from beyond the blue paint. He is also pretty physically advanced in terms of his frame and muscle mass and is at least in that aspect ready for the next level, although I wouldn't be crazy about him making the jump until he's 19 or 20. Gaunce is dangerous on the forecheck with his strength and work ethic, but also shows as much determination in the other end of the rink, where combined with his hockey sense, it makes him quite an effective two-way centerman. His puck skills are average, though, as he's not one to make a good hands play. He is also is a below-average skater as well who isn't that dangerous in transition. – Corey Pronman

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