Andrew Gibson and The Jersey Swap that Foreshadowed Nashville's Future
Two prospects, one moment, and a full-circle story in the Predators’ system
In the summer of 2015 at the Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament, ten-year-old Andrew Gibson exchanged his Detroit Junior Red Wings jersey with a young BC Junior Canucks defenseman. Gibson went home, put that swapped jersey away, and didn’t think much about it.
“I had no idea who he was,” Gibson said of that long ago jersey exchange between two hockey kids. “He had no idea who I was.”
“One day I found the jersey, and my dad searched him up and was like ‘Oh, this guy’s pretty good!’”
Yes. Tanner Molendyk, that young BC Canuck player whose youth jersey Andrew Gibson owns, is a pretty good hockey player, too.
“We saw [Molendyk] got drafted here when I got drafted to Detroit, and then I got traded here and I was like - oh my god, I’m gonna be with this guy!”
A decade later, jerseys reading “Gibson” and “Molendyk” could be skating together this season in Milwaukee blue, and it should surprise no one if in the very near future they skate in Predators gold.
Molendyk and Gibson are two standout players in Nashville’s defensive pipeline who have built solid chemistry together on the ice and a strong friendship off. They’ve skated together at several Predators camps and shared minutes for Team Canada at the 2025 World Juniors.
“Obviously in camp playing together, it’s not bad. Like you’re practicing, scrimmages, stuff like that,” Gibson said. “But to play in a tournament wearing the maple leaf on our chest together was pretty cool.”
Gibson and Molendyk’s different but complimentary styles make them a defensive pair to watch closely. While Molendyk has not participated in training camp this week due to a lower body injury, Gibson knows the two can be a strong duo.
“Our games just kind of feed off each other,” Gibson said. “He a great skater, good offensively and he’s solid defensively, and I just feel like I feed off of him.”
“I play that solid role back there and let him kind of do whatever he wants, which I don’t mind at all. I like it.”
Gibson’s physical style of play stands out in its own right. He’s a shot blocker and has no fear when it comes to contact. After a summer of skills work, the 6’4” blue liner is ready to get back to the tempo and physicality of games.
Stepping into this new chapter of his hockey career is made easier by the relationship with Molendyk. Relationships have been an important part of Gibson’s journey.
At sixteen Gibson moved to Sault St. Marie to play in the NOJHL. He remained with the same billet family after being drafted by the Soo Greyhounds as well. While there, he played two seasons with Predators’ 2025 fifth overall pick Brady Martin. Their fun loving relationship is evident when they’re together with plenty of good natured talk between the two.
Gibson’s time with the Soo came to an abrupt end when he was traded on January 7 to the Oshawa Generals in a blockbuster OHL deal. Leaving his billet family, his teammates, and his community was challenging.
“I was in the Soo for almost four years,” Gibson shared. “I love that place. I knew the spots to go for lunch. I was with the guys the full four years. I knew the locals. My billets were really great.”
There were a handful of familiar faces waiting for him in Oshawa from Team Canada, and Gibson’s on ice performance didn’t suffer with the change. Gibson found success playing a more specific role with the Generals amassing five goals and 17 points in his 28 regular season games. He also chipped in eight goals and ten points in 19 playoff games.
Winning the Bobby Orr Trophy as the OHL’s Eastern Conference Champs solidified the relationships he built in Oshawa. That accomplishment was a highlight in a season of change.
“That was huge,” Gibson said. “Just being able to contribute in that series and see what we could do. We had a great group of guys, a great team.”
As the 2025-26 season begins, Gibson is embracing the jump to hockey at the pro level. Not only will he have Molendyk and the other Predators’ prospects he’s grown close to around, he will also have another very important person nearby as he embraces this new chapter. His sister Brooke, a former D3 hockey athlete, is a teacher just outside of Milwaukee.
“It will be really nice to have her there,” Gibson said.