Brandon Gignac

Brandon Gignac (born November 7, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 80th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career
Gignac played major junior hockey with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) before he was selected by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the third round, 80th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. During his final season with the Cataractes in the 2016–17 season, on November 12, 2016, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils. After posting 62 points in 59 regular season games with Shawinigan, Gignac joined the Devils' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Albany Devils, on an amateur tryout (ATO) basis following a first round defeat in the QMJHL playoffs. He made his professional debut in Albany's penultimate regular season game against the Rochester Americans in a 5–4 defeat on April 14, 2017.

In his first professional season, Gignac was assigned by New Jersey to their new AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, for their inaugural season in 2017–18 season. In his first two months, he contributed with just two goals and one assist, while also developing his two-way game before suffering a season-ending knee injury, tearing both his ACL and MCL, on December 13, 2017. Before the 2018–19 season, Gignac participated in the Devils' training camp. On March 9, 2019, Gignac received his first call-up to the NHL by the Devils and made his NHL debut, taking one shot and skating for 9:04 minutes as the Devils lost 4–2 to the New York Rangers.

In his final year with the Devils organization, he played in the ECHL with the Jacksonville Icemen. Gignac was a restricted free agent at the end of the 2020–21 season. He was left unprotected in the Seattle Kraken expansion draft but ultimately went unselected. Gignac was not given a qualifying offer by the Devils and became an unrestricted free agent.

On July 29, 2021, Gignac signed a one-year contract with the Laval Rocket of the AHL. Gignac registered 10 goals and 26 points in 48 games with the Rocket during the 2021–22 season. He signed a two-year extension with Laval on July 9, 2022.

During the 2023–24 season, while leading the Rocket in scoring with 42 points through 43 regular season games, Gignac secured a two-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens on February 4, 2024. He was recalled by Montreal the same day and made his debut for the Canadiens in a 5–2 win over the Washington Capitals on February 7. On February 13, Gignac scored his first career NHL goal in a 5-0 shutout victory versus the Anaheim Ducks.