In the world of hockey, Cutter Gauthier is making headlines as he embarks on his first full season with the Anaheim Ducks. The young player is determined to put the trade drama of the previous season behind him and focus on his game moving forward.
Gauthier’s journey to Anaheim began when he was selected fifth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2022 draft. However, he made the decision not to play for the Flyers and was ultimately traded to Anaheim for Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick. The trade was met with backlash from the Flyers fan base, with Gauthier revealing that he even received death threats in the aftermath.
Despite the negativity surrounding his trade, Gauthier remains unfazed. In an interview with NHL.com, he shared, “I still get messages here and there, but I can’t change other people’s opinions, nor do I want to… I’m just going to go out and play my game, do my thing and control how good I am on the ice. At the end of the day, I don’t really care what other people think. It’s what I think and feel as a person and what my family thinks. I can’t let all the outside noise distract me or else I’m going to go nowhere.”
The talented winger officially signed his entry-level contract with the Ducks in April and made his debut in the team’s final game of the season, earning an assist for his first NHL point. Prior to turning pro, Gauthier had an impressive 38 goals and 65 points in just 41 games with Boston College.
Looking ahead, Gauthier has been hard at work during the off-season, putting on an additional 20 pounds to enhance his physique for the challenges of professional hockey. With a taste of NHL action under his belt, Gauthier is eager to make his mark and contribute to the Ducks’ success on the ice.
While the Anaheim Ducks have experienced a playoff drought in recent years, the future looks promising for the team. Gauthier is poised to lead a talented group of young players, including Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, Pavel Mintyukov, and Beckett Sennecke, the third overall pick in the most recent draft.
Acknowledging the potential of the team, Gauthier remarked, “There is a lot of talent in this room, a lot of youth in this room and it’s just pretty cool to see what the next few years are going to hold for all the guys and hopefully have them all grow into superstars and have a great team.”
In the fast-paced world of professional hockey, Cutter Gauthier is a rising star to watch, determined to leave his mark on the sport and lead the Anaheim Ducks to success in the seasons to come.
