Interview with Top-Prospect - Duncan Gaunt

In the lead up to the GMHL Top Prospects and All-Star game in Bancroft on January 17th, 2023, we had the opportunity to catch up with the Gibbons Pioneers’ defenceman Duncan Gaunt who will be representing the team at the event. Duncan has played in all but one of the Pioneers games this season and has been a stalwart on the blueline. Here’s what he had to say about the selection, the Pioneers and his future goals.

Congratulations on your selection for the GMHL All Star Game in January. How do you feel about being the lone Gibbons Pioneers representative at the event?

I’m honoured to have the opportunity to go and represent the Pioneers and I’m excited for the experience and the challenge.

What do you hope to get out of the experience? 

I’m looking forward to meeting new people and seeing what I can learn from them to improve my own game.

 What can they expect of you at the Top Prospects game?

They can expect me to bring my best defensive skills on the back end and hopefully I can bring some leadership in the dressing room as well. It’s a new experience to come together for just one high intensity game but I’m very much looking forward to it.

You have been a consistent force on the backline for the Pioneers this season, what has been your focus each game this season?

Thank you. My main focus is to stay mid-ice strong and work with my teammates to keep the puck moving up ice. Definitely at this level another focus is keeping my opponents to the outside to limit their scoring chances.

You were the first player to sign for the Pioneers this summer. What can you tell us about the growth of this team from August until now?

I’ll be honest, when I first signed, I was a little concerned about how the season would go and whether we’d be able to put together a strong team. With the drive, dedication and high-level hockey experience our head coach (Steve Arsenault) brings to the team, it’s crazy how much we’ve grown since the start of the season.

What are you most proud of this year?

I’m proud of what I’ve been able to bring to the team in terms of leadership, commitment and skill. I’m proud of the growth I’m seeing in my own game but definitely most proud of the team and how far we’ve come.

What can we look forward to from the Pioneers in the second half of the season?

I think we’re looking to stay focused through the second half. We need to show up for every game and keep working on the areas that we need to develop. We’ll be looking to keep the momentum going right to the playoffs.

What are your career and hockey goals moving forward?

My goal has always been to play college hockey. I hope that everything I’ve learned over the years will carry forward wherever I end up. If not on the ice, then maybe someday as a coach on the bench. I plan to study engineering as a career.

Congratulations again to Duncan on his Top Prospects game selection. We look forward to following his success at the game as well as for the remainder of the Pioneers season, his college career and beyond. You can catch him and all the other All-Stars in action on Tuesday Jan 17th at 5:00pm EST on GMHL.tv and can check out all your Pioneers games at Gibbons Arena.

If you’d like to consider supporting Duncan with his high performance training and assist in getting him to the All-Star game, check out our Adopt a Pioneer program.