ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a significant moment during his NHL journey, Cutter Gauthier netted his first goal for the Anaheim Ducks during the team’s 17th game, marking a meaningful milestone for the rookie. Despite the long wait, his coaches and teammates are optimistic that this goal will pave the way for more to follow, especially in what has already been a challenging yet enlightening year for the talented young forward.
The 20-year-old Gauthier managed to score on his 36th shot of the season, getting one past Detroit’s Alex Lyon during a fast break. After enduring 15 consecutive games without a goal this season, along with a goal-less debut during last spring’s season finale, he celebrated this achievement with a mix of excitement and relief. Furthermore, this goal broke a tie and contributed to the Ducks’ eventual 6-4 win over the Red Wings.
“It wasn’t for a lack of attempts, though. It felt like a dream come true,” Gauthier shared. “Scoring against my hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings, was a surreal experience, and I’m absolutely thrilled about it.”
The year 2024 has presented numerous challenges for Gauthier, but he has continued to persevere. His journey began with a complex situation involving the Philadelphia Flyers, who selected him fifth overall in the 2022 draft. After Gauthier declined to join the team for reasons that remain uncertain, the Flyers opted to trade him to the Ducks in January, offering up the promising defenseman Jamie Drysdale in return.
Gauthier went on to complete his final season at Boston College, where he was a finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award and helped guide the team to the Frozen Four championship match. After making a one-game NHL debut with the Ducks in April, he returned for training camp in September, securing his position on the roster.
The rookie then faced a goal drought, starting the season on a line with Leo Carlsson, a talented teenage player from Sweden. However, despite a strong preseason, they struggled to convert their potential into goals once the regular season commenced.
The speed and competitiveness of the NHL have been eye-opening for Gauthier. “It is truly the best league in the world, and you quickly discover that there isn’t much time or space to operate,” he remarked. “Realizing when to manage the puck and when to simplify my game has been crucial for my development.”
Ducks coach Greg Cronin expressed some concern about the lack of scoring from Gauthier’s initial line, prompting him to shuffle Gauthier around the roster. On the night he scored, Gauthier started on the team’s fourth line before being repositioned during the game.
Throughout his struggles, Gauthier has maintained his work ethic and commitment to shooting the puck, aligning with Cronin’s expectations for his forwards. “He has been relentless in his attempts,” said Cronin. “We’ve moved him around in the lineup to help simplify his game while fostering habits more befitting a checking line player. It’s essential to reset focus away from merely scoring goals, and Gauthier has embraced that philosophy. His positivity and dedication to his teammates have exemplified the culture we aim to cultivate here.”
This initial goal holds deeper significance for Gauthier, whose father was a well-traveled goaltender, albeit with only one NHL appearance in an extensive professional career. Though born in Sweden, Gauthier spent a significant part of his youth in Arizona before developing his skills in Michigan’s esteemed youth hockey programs.
Now, with his first goal secured, Gauthier is eager for more. The Ducks see him as a vital part of their youthful core as they strive for their first playoff appearance since 2018. “We have a highly skilled young team capable of making plays consistently,” Gauthier stated. “Building our confidence is key as we move forward, and that’s something we’re all focused on doing together.”