Cutter Gauthier discusses his first development camp as an Anaheim Duck.

What a year for Cutter Gauthier. First, he won gold with Team USA at World Juniors. Then, he came close to winning an NCAA title and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He was also traded.

After returning to Boston College following the conclusion of World Juniors, he informed the Philadelphia Flyers that he would not be playing for them in any capacity.

Flyers general manager Danny Brière knew he had to act quickly before word got out. With Gauthier still in college and not yet under contract, Brière could trade Gauthier to a team that knew they would be able to sign Gauthier when the time came.

That team was the Anaheim Ducks, who acquired Gauthier last January in exchange for Jamie Drysdale. Now, even though he’s already appeared in an NHL game since then, Gauthier took part in his first development camp with the Ducks this week.

“Yeah, it’s been great,” Gauthier said about meeting fellow Ducks prospects. “Maybe they’re not all going to make the (Ducks) this coming year, but they’re going to be here in the future. These are future teammates that you’ve got to grow bonds with and get used to for years to come.

“It’s been great so far. All the guys are super great. A younger group this time around (compared to being with guys from the NHL roster), but everyone’s been super friendly. (It’s) been a good time around them.”

Gauthier said that management and the coaching staff have been welcoming as well. “Feels like I’ve known them a lot longer than I actually have,” he said. “I met a couple of them at the end of the year and throughout the season and after the trade happened. I have no complaints. It’s been a couple of great months with the organization.”

The NHL season can be a grind and Gauthier has heard as much from his Ducks teammates. “The guys have all said that once you get to Games 40 and 50, it’s a grind. But, that’s where winning’s done. It’ll be a couple of months before training camp starts, so that’s kind of my focus for now.

“I’ve never played 82 games in my life before. It’s a hard and demanding schedule. I think the only thing I can do is work hard in the weight room and get physically and mentally prepared for it. It’s a long season.”

What has Gauthier’s offseason looked like leading up to development camp? “Lots of golf, working out and a little bit of skating. I haven’t really gotten on the ice too much,” Gauthier said. “(I) just wanted to take some time off and let the body recover after a long year. After development camp, I’ll get on the ice a lot more. Been training the last couple of months and working on the golf game.”

The schedule for the 2024-25 season dropped yesterday, but Gauthier said he hasn’t gotten a chance to get a good look at it just yet. “Not yet. We were pretty jam-packed yesterday. But my girlfriend and my mom said that there were a couple of dates that they could come out and visit so they’re looking forward to it. I’m sure I’ll see it soon enough.”

One game that he did manage to note on the schedule though was the Ducks’ Jan. 11 matchup against the Flyers in Philadelphia. It would be the first time that Gauthier has played in front of Flyers fans as an NHLer.

“It’s going to be an exciting game,” he said. “I’m pumped for it. With everything that happened, obviously want to play well and do my thing.”