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Drumming Up Support - Nov. 13, 2023 - By Will MacLaren
WHEN ETHAN GAUTHIER heard his name called by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the 2023 draft, it was actually the second milestone of his career to occur that month. The first hit much closer to home.
In early June, the QMJHL Sherbrooke Phoenix dealt the 18-year-old Gauthier to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, facilitating a homecoming for the talented right winger. So, as far as off-season trades go, it was about as easy to adjust to as possible. And his not-so-new home arena? As the third member of his immediate family to play there, Gauthier might know a bounce or two off the boards. “I was super happy when the trade was announced,” he said. “Growing up, the Voltigeurs were my own little NHL. Now that it’s my turn, it’s even more special.”
While Ethan and his older brother, Kaylen, were hanging around the Marcel Dionne Centre, their father, Denis, was working behind the bench. And years before that, Denis was sitting on that same bench as one of the top QMJHL defensemen of the 1990s. Oh, and then there’s Denis’ No. 21, which hangs from the building’s rafters.
When asked what all this means to him and his family, Denis made sure to take the proper time to find words befitting his true emotion. “ ‘Privileged’ would be a word that comes to mind,” he said. “It’s been an incredible adventure. I’ve had such a great time bringing these two boys with me and watching them grow up in that rink.”
The elder Gauthier and his wife, Stephanie, brought their boys back to Drummondville in 2009 after Denis wrapped up a 10-year NHL career that took him to Calgary, Phoenix, Philadelphia and finally Los Angeles. Denis then initially rejoined the Voltigeurs as an assistant coach, and he now serves as a special advisor. When Kaylen and Ethan weren’t helping fill water bottles or chatting up players, each was working his own way up the hockey ladder. In Ethan’s case, it led to him being chosen first overall by Sherbrooke at the 2021 QMJHL Draft.
The parallels between Ethan and his father are obvious and, both admit, quite helpful. “His advice is like a tool,” Ethan said. “As a young player, it was always about details, habits and little things that could help me get to the next level. He never tried to coach me. I appreciate all he worked on with me but also the space he provided. I’m honored and lucky to have him.”
For Denis’ part, he made sure that his advice always came in a measured tone. “It’s a pressure-free environment, same as it was when I was growing up,” Denis said. “I’ve been in his shoes. I tried to stay a dad, but at the same time be someone that could offer some advice to him knowing some of what he’s going through.”
Though Denis is quick to admit his days in junior were wildly different for many reasons, he’s still found a way to make an impact. “The biggest thing for me was to just help him manage the highs and lows he was going through last year,” Denis said. “There are so many places where you can make a bad decision, and it’s hard to stay grounded. For me, it was trying to help him be the best version of himself he could be.”
But it wasn’t just Denis paving the way. Kaylen was dealt from Drummondville to his younger brother’s Sherbrooke squad midway through the 2021-22 season. Last season – his fifth and final in the QMJHL – Kaylen was named captain of the Phoenix. He now patrols the blueline for the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres.
Denis’ joy about the situation is evident. “It was amazing,” he said. “They developed such a tight camaraderie together. Everything started to trend in a very good direction after Kaylen arrived in Sherbrooke. Kaylen is an adolescent, but inside, he’s a man. He was my right-hand man the last couple seasons. I don’t think Ethan is where he’s at right now without Kaylen.”
After consecutive seasons stalling out in the league semifinal with the Phoenix, Ethan seeks improvement not only for himself but for a Voltigeurs club seeking to make good on their newfound contender status. “We’re well coached,” Ethan said. “We understand the importance of attention to detail. Mixing into this group allows me to take the lessons from my (experiences) and bring value to the team that way. With who we have in place, I’m looking forward to a great season.
“We kind of lost control in the semifinal. We have to make sure that doesn’t happen (here). I just want to bring a calming factor as well as a positive energy to the room.”
If his Voltigeurs can catch lightning in a bottle this spring, don’t be surprised if the hometown kid plays as big a role in the room as he does on the ice. After all, it runs in the family.