Welcome to another WHL Best of the 2010s feature where we profile the best WHL players from the 2009-10 season all the way to the 2019-20 season. Players are judged based on what they did in each division. This means if a player spent time in multiple divisions, their placement will be judged based on what they did separately while in each division. Don’t forget to vote on our Twitter page, @WHLonA51 to help determine which player will be crowned the best WHL player of the 2010s. We hope you enjoy.
One of the best Swift Current Broncos in franchise history, Glenn Gawdin recorded 313 points in 312 games and remains fifth on the Broncos all-time points list. He captained the team to a Memorial Cup and helped Swift Current break a long playoff round losing streak. The Richmond, BC native left his mark and won’t soon be forgotten by the Broncos faithful.
Gawdin made the full-time jump to the WHL during the 2013-14 season. In 66 games, he finished with ten goals and 12 points for 22 points. It was a good rookie season that set him up well for year two.
In 2014-15, Gawdin took a step forward, this time scoring 15 goals and recording 54 points in 72 games. For his efforts, he was named to Team Canada at the World U18s finishing with four points in seven games. He helped Canada win the Bronze that year scoring the opening and closing goals of the Bronze Medal game.
The 2015-16 season saw more improvement from Gawdin as he finished as a point per game player with 53 points in 53 games. He set a new career-high with 19 goals but Swift Current missed the playoffs.
During the 2016-17 season, Gawdin was named captain and determined to break the playoff streak. He recorded a new career-high with 26 goals and 59 points in 52 games and helped the Broncos make the playoffs. For the first time since the 2008-09 season, the Broncos were on their way to the second round. Unfortunately, that is as far as they would go. During the run, he recorded 11 points in 14 games but it was all leading up to his fantastic final season.
In 2017-18, Gawdin exploded for 56 goals and 125 points in 67 games. He helped the Broncos finish second in the entire WHL during the regular season before leading them on a playoff run for the ages. In 24 games, he recorded 32 points and captured not just playoff MVP but the WHL Championship. His WHL career would come to an end shortly after Swift Current was unable to win a game in the Memorial Cup.
It is tough to be considered one of the best in franchise history when players like Joe Sakic and Sheldon Kennedy were part of your organization, but Gawdin found a way. He helped the franchise recover after some tough seasons and led them to glory. A well-deserved member of the Best of the 2010s list.