Following three seasons of Junior A hockey as an offensive star with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League, Van der Gulik was selected in the seventh round, 206th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames. He then committed to play College hockey for Boston University, and in 2002–03, Van der Gulik scored 10 goals and 20 points in 40 games as a freshman to be named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2003.