Wikipedia

Frédérik Gauthier

Frédérik Gauthier (born April 26, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently under contract with HC Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Gauthier was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft after spending three years with the Rimouski Océanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Gauthier became a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization following the 2014–15 season. During his developmental years with the Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, he helped them clinch their first Calder Cup in franchise history.

Frédérik Gauthier
Gauthier with the Toronto Marlies in 2018
Born (1995-04-26) April 26, 1995 (age 29)
Laval, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 235 lb (107 kg; 16 st 11 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
KHL team
Former teams		 HC Vityaz
Toronto Maple Leafs
Arizona Coyotes
New Jersey Devils
HC Ajoie
NHL draft 21st overall, 2013
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 2015–present

A native of Quebec, Gauthier developed in its local minor ice hockey programs and intended to pursue a collegiate career rather than the QMJHL. After his selection by the Océanic in the QMJHL and Youngstown Phantoms in the United States Hockey League, he was encouraged by Sidney Crosby to pursue a career in his native province. During his tenure with the team, Gauthier competed for Team Canada at various international tournaments. He won a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Early life

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Gauthier was born on April 26, 1995, in Laval, Quebec, Canada[1] to parents Stéphane and Sophie Gauthier.[2] He grew up in Mascouche, Quebec and cheered for the Montreal Canadiens growing up.[2]

Playing career

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Youth

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As a youth, Gauthier played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Montreal Canadiens minor ice hockey team.[3] He played alongside Anthony Duclair, although they were eventually eliminated by a team with Jonathan Drouin on its roster.[4] Gauthier eventually advanced to the Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix in midget AAA[5] and led the team to the 2012 Telus Cup.[6] During the tournament, he recorded two goals and nine assist in seven games.[7] As a teenager attending Académie Antoine-Manseau, Gauthier played quarterback on their football team in addition to hockey.[8] He was eventually drafted by the Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) during the 2011 QMJHL Entry Draft,[7] although he intended to study at Harvard University and play for their Division 1 ice hockey team.[9] In spite of this, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who was an Océanic alumni, convinced Gauthier to play junior ice hockey with Rimouski Océanic in the QMJHL.[9] Gauthier also turned down the opportunity to play in the United States Hockey League with the Youngstown Phantoms.[8]

In his rookie season with the Océanic, Gauthier was considered a top prospect after recording 60 points in 62 games.[6] He competed in the CHL Top Prospects Game[10] and received a final ranking of eighth amongst North American skaters from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[11] Prior to the draft, he was praised as a proficient skater who could use his 6'5 body to control the puck.[12] He fulfilled the expectation to be a first-round selection at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft,[13][14] when he was selected 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.[15] As his family was from Quebec, his grandfather was unhappy with his draft team and cursed out loud when he heard the news.[2] After the draft, Gauthier was invited to their training camps in September,[16] but returned to Rimouski for the 2013–14 season.[17] While with the Leafs organization, he partook skating lessons with coach Barb Underhill.[18] During that season, the Leafs signed Gauthier to a three-year, entry-level contract on November 28, 2013.[19] Although Gauthier helped lead Rimouski to the QMJHL playoffs, they were eliminated in the second round by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.[17]

Although Gauthier played less games in his final junior season, he was the recipient of the Guy Carbonneau Trophy at the conclusion of the 2014–15 season.[20] He also led the team to the President's Cup Trophy by scoring the game winning goal in double overtime of Game 7 against the Quebec Remparts.[21] On April 21, 2014, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL).[22]

Professional

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Toronto Maple Leafs

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After attending the Maple Leafs' training camp, Gauthier joined the American Hockey League Toronto Marlies for the 2015–16 season.[23] He recorded his first professional point on October 21, 2016, against the Rochester Americans[24] and his first professional goal in a 3–1 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.[25] He received a call-up by the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 19, 2016, and made his NHL debut on March 19, 2016, in a game against the Buffalo Sabres.[26] He played seven games with the Maple Leafs before being sent back to the AHL. During those seven games, Gauthier recorded his first career NHL point on April 6, 2016, with an assist on Morgan Rielly's second period goal.[27][28]

After attending the Maple Leafs training camp, Gauthier was assigned to the Toronto Marlies for the 2016–17 season.[29] After playing 16 games with the Marlies, Gauthier was recalled to the NHL on December 16, to replace an injured Martin Marincin.[30] Gauthier would eventually record his first career NHL goal on December 22, 2016, against the Colorado Avalanche.[31] Gauthier was subsequently recalled periodically throughout the season but played with the Marlies during their 2017 Calder Cup playoffs run. While playing in the second-round against the Syracuse Crunch, Gauthier suffered an avulsion of the hamstring injury which required surgery, ending his season. Although his projected recovery time was six months, he was back skating in less than three months. As a result of the surgery, Gauthier lost some hamstring muscles and became a bit shorter.[32]

 
Gauthier with the Toronto Maple Leafs during their outdoor practice in 2020

Gauthier was invited to participate in the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp prior to the 2017–18 season,[33] although he was reassigned to the Marlies.[34] On January 2, 2018, Gauthier was called-up to the Maple Leafs to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a 2–0 loss. He was sent back down to the AHL on January 11 after playing five games in the NHL so that he could continue playing hockey while the Leafs were on a bye week.[35] Gauthier and fellow Marlies player Travis Dermott were recalled on January 15.[36] On January 23, after playing a total of nine games in the NHL during which he scored one goal, Gauthier was returned to the Marlies.[37] He competed with the Marlies during their 2018 Calder Cup playoffs run where he helped them clinch the Calder Cup.[38]

On July 11, 2018, Gauthier signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Maple Leafs.[39] After making the team out of training camp, Gauthier stayed on the NHL roster for the entirety of the season. Gauthier played 62 games for the Maple Leafs before suffering a foot injury in March which kept him out of two games.[40] He recovered in time to make his post-season debut with the Leafs, playing in all seven games during the first round against the Boston Bruins.[41]

Although the 2019–20 season would eventually be delayed due to COVID-19,[42] Gauthier started the season strong. He partook in skating lessons with Leafs coach Barb Underhill and captain John Tavares spoke highly of his progress; "He’s making plays more, feeling good about finding the open man and what’s going on in the open ice, and getting to the net."[43] Upon the hiring of Sheldon Keefe on November 20, 2019, he experienced his first healthy scratch of the season after playing in 29 games.[44] When inquired about his choice, Keefe stated "[w]e've liked how Fred's played, he's done well but we're trying to find the right mix for our team & we've got to try some different things. In the interim he's going to have to take a step back a little bit."[45] After sitting as a healthy scratch for four consecutive nights, Gauthier returned to the Leafs lineup to reach a new career-high in goals.[46]

Arizona Coyotes

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As a free agent from the Maple Leafs, Gauthier remained un-signed as the 2020–21 season was delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. He was signed to a professional tryout contract to join the Arizona Coyotes training camp on December 27, 2020.[47] After a successful training camp, Gauthier was signed by the Coyotes to a one-year, two-way contract on January 11, 2021.[48]

New Jersey Devils

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As a free agent over the summer and approaching the 2021–22 season, Gauthier for the second consecutive year signed a Professional Tryout contract in accepting an invitation to attend the New Jersey Devils training camp on September 18, 2021.[49]

Europe

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Following the conclusion of his contract with the Devils, Gauthier left the NHL as a free agent and signed his first contract abroad in agreeing to a one-year contract with Swiss club, HC Ajoie of the National League (NL), on August 2, 2022.[50]

After two seasons in Switzerland with Ajoie, Gauthier left as a free agent and opted to sign a one-year deal with Russian club, Vityaz Moscow Region of the KHL, on May 29, 2024.[51]

International play

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Gauthier kissing the championship trophy at the 2015 IIHF U20 Worlds
Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
IIHF World U18 Championship
  2013 Russia
IIHF World U20 Championship
  2015 Canada

Following a successful season with the College Esther-Blondin Phenix midget AAA team, Gauthier was selected to play for Team Quebec at the Canadian Winter Games. He ended the tournament with one assist in six games.[7]

On June 28, 2013, Gauthier was invited to the Canadian National Junior Team summer development camp.[52] After making the roster,[53] he was a member of the gold medal-winning Canadian team at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships.[54] The following year, he was again invited to the Canadian National Junior Team summer development camp prior to the 2014 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[55] After making the final roster, Team Canada lost in the semi-finals to Finland[56] and failed to medal against Russia.[57] While playing in six games, Gauthier recorded one assist and ended with a -2 Plus–minus.[58]

On December 21, 2014, Gauthier was selected to compete for Team Canada during the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[59] He played on a line with Lawson Crouse and Nick Ritchie during the tournament,[60] as Team Canada won a gold medal.[61]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 62 22 38 60 26 6 0 2 2 2
2013–14 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 54 18 34 52 27 11 3 6 9 6
2014–15 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 37 16 16 32 21 20 2 14 16 4
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 56 6 12 18 10 9 0 0 0 4
2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 7 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2016–17 Toronto Marlies AHL 46 4 9 13 14 6 1 3 4 2
2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 21 2 1 3 23 — — — — —
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 9 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2017–18 Toronto Marlies AHL 57 7 11 18 10 20 2 6 8 4
2018–19 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 70 3 11 14 12 7 0 0 0 2
2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 61 7 5 12 10 1 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Tucson Roadrunners AHL 18 2 5 7 6 1 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Arizona Coyotes NHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2021–22 New Jersey Devils NHL 8 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2021–22 Utica Comets AHL 51 8 24 32 15 — — — — —
2022–23 HC Ajoie NL 52 9 14 23 32 — — — — —
2023–24 HC Ajoie NL 44 10 8 18 18 — — — — —
NHL totals 178 13 18 31 47 8 0 0 0 2

International

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Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2012 Canada Quebec U17 6th 5 1 2 3 2
2013 Canada U18   7 1 3 4 2
2014 Canada WJC 4th 7 0 1 1 2
2015 Canada WJC   7 0 1 1 0
Junior totals 26 2 7 9 6

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
QMJHL
CHL Top Prospects Game 2013 [10]
Guy Carbonneau Trophy 2015 [20]
AHL
Calder Cup (Toronto Marlies) 2018 [38]
International
IIHF World U18 Championship Gold Medal (Team Canada) 2013 [62]
IIHF World U20 Championships – Gold Medal 2015 [61]

References

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  1. ^ "FREDERIK GAUTHIER". theahl.com. American Hockey League. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c David Brien (January 4, 2015). "TEAM CANADA FAMILY: FRÉDÉRIK GAUTHIER". hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  3. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  4. ^ Sachdeva, Sonny. "'It's A Big Deal'". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  5. ^ "Trois anciens Phénix repêchés dans la LNH". rds.ca (in French). July 3, 2013. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Morreale, Mike G. (June 21, 2013). "Gauthier plays all-round game well beyond his years". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 8, 2016. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "Frederik Gauthier". hockeysfuture.com. Hockeys Future. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Frédérik Gauthier: des choix judicieux". ici.radio-canada.ca (in French). June 23, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Traikos, Michael (July 1, 2013). "Leafs have Sidney Crosby to thank for first-round pick". National Post. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "2013 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters". chl.ca. Canadian Hockey League. December 12, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  11. ^ "Final Central Scouting Bureau draft rankings". The Globe and Mail. June 23, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  12. ^ "Frederik Gauthier – The Next Ones: NHL 2013 Draft Prospect Profile". thehockeywriters.com. The Hockey Writers. June 3, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  13. ^ King, Patrick (June 7, 2013). "NHL Draft prospects: No. 23 Frederik Gauthier". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  14. ^ "ISS Hockey Releases Final Mock Draft Picks for Sunday's NHL Draft". PRWeb. June 18, 2013. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  15. ^ Koshan, Terry (June 30, 2013). "Leafs draft huge centre Frederik Gauthier". Toronto Sun. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  16. ^ "69 QMJHL PLAYERS AT NHL CAMPS". theqmjhl,ca. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. September 20, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  17. ^ a b Chenel, Pierre-Luc (April 22, 2014). "Alex Dubeau et Frédérik Gauthier en congé". larevue.qc.ca (in French). Journal Revue. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  18. ^ McGran, Kevin (July 11, 2013). "Frederik Gauthier gets first taste of life with Maple Leafs". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  19. ^ "Leafs Sign Gauthier To Three-Year Deal". nhl.com. National Hockey League. November 27, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Some individual trophies were given out tonight". theqmjhl.ca. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  21. ^ Joyce, Gare (May 21, 2015). "Oceanic's Gauthier on display for Maple Leafs fans". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  22. ^ Mirtle, James (April 21, 2014). "Leafs first rounder Frederik Gauthier signs with Marlies". Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  23. ^ Langridge, Jeff (September 25, 2015). "Toronto Maple Leafs Reduce Training Camp Roster By Seven". thehockeywriters.com. The Hockey Writers. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  24. ^ "Marlies Fall in Rochester". marlies.ca. Toronto Marlies. October 21, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "Resilient Phantoms Come Up Just Short Against Toronto". phantomshockey.com. Lehigh Valley Phantoms. October 25, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  26. ^ Johnston, Chris (March 19, 2016). "Frederik Gauthier brings size, smarts and personality to young Leafs". Sportsnet.ca. Toronto: Sportsnet. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  27. ^ "Leafs Fall In Home Finale". nhl.com. April 6, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  28. ^ @LeafsPR (April 6, 2016). "Frederik Gauthier has recorded his first NHL point with a second period assist. #TMLtalk" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "SportChek Training Camp: Leafs Trim Camp Roster". nhl.com. October 8, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  30. ^ Sadler, Emily (December 19, 2016). "Maple Leafs place Martin Marincin on IR, recall Frederik Gauthier". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  31. ^ "Kadri scores two as Leafs rout Avalanche 6-0". ctvnews.ca. December 23, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  32. ^ Zwolinski, Mark (November 8, 2017). "The long and the short of Frederik Gauthier's return from his leg injury". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  33. ^ Augello, Michael (September 12, 2018). "Last chance training camp for former Maple Leafs' first-rounder Frederik Gauthier". sportingnews.com. Sporting News. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  34. ^ Zwolinski, Mark (October 2, 2017). "Leafs trim down ahead of season opener". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  35. ^ "Leafs send defenceman Dermott, Gauthier back to Marlies". Sportsnet.ca. January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  36. ^ Johnston, Mike (January 15, 2018). "Maple Leafs recall Travis Dermott, Frederik Gauthier from AHL's Marlies". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  37. ^ "Leafs recall Kasperi Kapanen from AHL Marlies, demote Frederik Gauthier". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. January 23, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2018.
  38. ^ a b Strong, Gregory (June 14, 2018). "Marlies bring a hockey championship to Toronto, win Calder Cup". cbc.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  39. ^ "Maple Leafs Sign Frederik Gauthier to Two-Year Contract". NHL.com. National Hockey League. July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  40. ^ "Leafs' Frederik Gauthier to miss two games with foot injury". sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. March 18, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  41. ^ "2019 NHL Eastern First Round". hockey-reference.com. Hockey Reference. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  42. ^ Koshan, Terry (March 11, 2020). "Leafs getting accustomed to new world as COVID-19 impact grows". The Chronicle Herald. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  43. ^ Zwolinski, Mark (October 15, 2019). "The Leafs are happy with Frederik Gauthier's body of work". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  44. ^ Koshan, Terry (December 7, 2019). "Leafs facing perfect model of resilience, success in Blues on Saturday night". Toronto Sun. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  45. ^ @kristen_shilton (December 7, 2019). "Asked Keefe why Frederik Gauthier is now a healthy scratch for #Leafs: "We've liked how Fred's played, he's done well but we're trying to find the right mix for our team & we've got to try some different things. In the interim he's going to have to take a step back a little bit."" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ McGran, Kevin (December 18, 2019). "The Goat finds his way (and the net) in Leafs' fourth-line battle". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  47. ^ Craig Morgan (December 27, 2020). "Coyotes will have two PTO's in camp". Twitter. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
  48. ^ "Coyotes sign center Frederik Gauthier". Arizona Coyotes. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  49. ^ @NJDevils (September 17, 2021). "#NEWS: We have signed Frederik Gauthier to a PTO contract" (Tweet). Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  50. ^ "Frederik Gauthier at HCA" (in French). HC Ajoie. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  51. ^ "Vityaz signs Canadian center Frederik Gauthier" (in Russian). HC Vityaz. May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  52. ^ "Frédérik Gauthier invité". oceanic.qc.ca. June 28, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  53. ^ "Canada makes final world junior roster cuts". cbc.ca. December 22, 2013. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  54. ^ "Canada ends U.S. run of dominance at U-18s". National Hockey League. February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
  55. ^ "Gauthier Invited To World Junior Selection Camp". nhl.com. December 1, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  56. ^ Beacon, Bill (January 4, 2014). "Canada loses to Finland in world junior semi-final, will play Russia for bronze". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  57. ^ "World juniors 2014: Canada goes home empty-handed again with 'heartbreaking' loss to Russia in bronze-medal game". National Post. January 5, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  58. ^ Landvogt, Chapin (January 5, 2014). "2014 WJC Video: Frederik Gauthier, Canada". hockeysfuture.com. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  59. ^ "Canada's National Junior Team for 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship". chl.ca. December 21, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  60. ^ Halliday, Chris (January 7, 2015). "Nick Ritchie embraces grinder role for Team Canada, lands World Junior gold medal". Orangeville Banner. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  61. ^ a b "Canada wins 2015 World Junior Championship Gold". chl.ca. January 5, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  62. ^ "Canada crowned under-18 hockey champions". The Globe and Mail. February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
2013 		Succeeded by
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