In January 2024, it was revealed that the Anaheim Ducks’ Jamie Drysdale and a 2024 second-round NHL draft pick would be traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for 2022 fifth overall pick Cutter Gauthier.
This was something that the NHL world had never seen before – a prospect who has never played a game in the NHL being sent to a different team.
After the 2022 Draft in Montreal, Gauthier insisted that he did not want to play in the NHL in a Flyers’ jersey.
“He looked at us at the draft and told us that he was built to be a Flyer. Wanted to be a Flyer. A few months later, he told us that he didn’t want to be a Flyer,” General Manager Danny Briere said after Gauthier was traded. “We tried to get in touch with him many times, they would not communicate as far as the Gauthier side.”
Gauthier, a forward out of Scottsdale, Arizona, spent two years of his collegiate career at Boston College before officially becoming a Duck. During his tenure in Chestnut Hill, the new Flyer notched 53 goals and 47 assists, totaling 100 points.
Along with freshman Will Smith, Gauthier was the focal point of the Eagles’ offense this season and led them to both a Hockey East Championship and the National Championship. Shortly before the Championship game, Gauthier was named the 2024 Hobey Baker Award recipient.
The Eagles ended up being shut out by Denver in the National Championship game, 2-0.
On April 18, when the Anaheim Ducks took on the Vegas Golden Knights, Gauthier made his NHL debut in the Ducks’ final game of the season.
The Arizona native was able to end his team’s season on a high note with an assist for the game-winning goal.
After a pass from behind the net from fellow rookie and 2023 NHL Draft pick Leo Carlsson, Gauthier saw his teammate Jackson LaCombe’s availability, passed it up the ice and LaCombe got the puck past the net with a one-timer.
This goal would bring the game 2-1 at the beginning of the third period, sealing the deal for the Ducks as the Golden Knights would not be able to respond.
Even though Gauthier’s entrance into the NHL was not the most conventional way we’ve seen in past years, his impact was immediately felt by his team.
With younger players like Gauthier, Connor Bedard, Adam Fantili, Leo Carlsson, Luke Hughes, Matt Rempe, Will Smith and Ryan Leonard, the hockey world is entering a new wave of the NHL that is sure to be an exciting one.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: you better have your popcorn ready, hockey fans.
Alas, as I close this article out, it will be the last edition of The Puck Drop this school year. To everyone who reads these articles, thank you and see you all next year!
Um … no Gauthier did not win the Hobey Baker award. Celebrini won that.