Sunday afternoon, the Anaheim Ducks announced they signed 5th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Cutter Gauthier, to an ELC
Sunday afternoon, the Anaheim Ducks announced they signed 5th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Cutter Gauthier, to an ELC
The day after Boston College lost the NCAA National Championship game to Denver University by a score of 2-0, the Anaheim Ducks, announced they've signed Cutter Gauthier to an entry-level contract and he's set to make his NHL debut in the Ducks' last game of the 2023-24 season in Vegas against the Golden Knights.
"We are excited to sign Cutter and have him begin his NHL career with the Ducks immediately," Ducks General Manager Pat Verbeek stated. "He was the top goal scorer in college hockey and has the dynamic ability to produce in all situations. We look forward to having him join our group of top young players already in the NHL."
In his sophomore season, Gauthier finished second in the nation with 65 points in 41 games, and his 38 goals were the most scored in a single NCAA season since 2005-06 (Ryan Potulny).
The Ducks traded for Cutter Gauthier's signing rights on Jan. 8 in exchange for Jamie Drysdale (22) and a 2025 second-round pick. Gauthier was drafted 5th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers but later informed the club he didn't intend to sign with them and requested a trade.
In two NCAA seasons playing for Boston College, Gauthier tallied 54 goals and 102 points in 73 games. He's represented the United States at two U20 World Junior Championship tournaments where he tallied 22 points in 14 games. At the 2024 World Junior Championship, he co-led the tournament in scoring with 10 assists and 12 points in 7 games en route to a gold medal.
Gauthier also represented the US at the 2023 World Championships where he scored seven goals and nine points in ten games and at the 2022 U18 World Championships where he scored nine points in six games.
Gauthier's game centers around power. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound forward has a strong stride and scores goals in every way possible, something the Ducks prospect pipeline and current roster has lacked for the better part of a decade.
While Gauthier's trademark is the quick and accurate release on his shot, he's made a concerted effort to round out his game during the 2023-24 campaign. He's transformed into a line driver and consistently leads rushes up ice, battles effectively along walls, and displays vision to set teammates up for dangerous looks.
His shot is as elite as it gets and he has every tool to become a top goalscorer in the NHL. He can work to create his own shot or find soft ice off the puck for feeds from linemates. When he does get it off, his shot is off his stick in a flash, accurate, and heavy. He never found a shot he didn't like or an angle he didn't think he could score from.
Gauthier had also worked to polish his defensive game. He was often matched up against opposing top lines, supported the puck well in the defensive zone, and was rarely out of position.
Pat Verbeek had stated he was looking to acquire Gauthier during the 2022 draft. Players like Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Trevor Zegras already excel with the puck on their stick, drawing defenders to them and setting up linemates for scoring opportunities. They simply needed an elite finisher on the other end.
Though he played his NCAA career at the center position, he will likely make his NHL debut on the wing and it's unclear where he'll play beyond that.
Gauthier's ELC will expire after the 2025-26 season.