2023 NHL Draft | Under the Microscope: Ethan Gauthier
Ethan Gauthier grew up in a hockey family. His father, Denis, played over 500 games in the NHL, while his older brother, Kaylen, is his teammate in Sherbrooke and also captain of the Phœnix.
The 17-year-old centreman is making the most of every moment he gets to spend alongside his brother, who is playing his final season in the QMJHL. Ethan is full of praise and admiration for Kaylen, who has been a huge inspiration for him.
“When I was younger, I was the type of guy who had it easy a bit. I sat on my talent a lot and it’s really my brother who put me back on the right track,” explained Ethan. “Today, I’m very grateful for everything he’s done for me. All the off-ice details he’s helped me with, just as much as the on-ice ones and in the gym, have been amazing for me.”
That guidance from his brother and father, who has taught his sons less about hockey and more about how to be good people, has helped Ethan combine a strong work ethic with his talent to become the top-ranked prospect from the QMJHL. Last month, Gauthier received an “A” rating as a potential first-round selection on the NHL Central Scouting’s Initial Players to Watch list ahead of the 2023 draft.
But the forward’s not worried about what the scouts think of him. His number one goal this season is to win a championship with the Phœnix, and he’s confident they have the right pieces and the team chemistry to accomplish that.
Playing on one of the most dominant lines in the Q alongside Justin Gill and Joshua Roy, Gauthier has certainly contributed to Sherbrooke’s success thus far in the 2022-23 campaign thanks to his 22 points (9G, 13A) in 17 games. The trio has developed instant chemistry and they complement each other well thanks to their different styles of play.
Gauthier arrived at this season’s training camp full of confidence after helping Canada to a gold medal at last summer’s Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He finished the tournament with a team-leading six goals in five games and tied for third on the Canadian squad with seven points. His experience facing off against the world’s top U18 hockey players exceeded his expectations, and helped him better understand his identity as a hockey player.
Gauthier models his game after power forward Brady Tkachuk. He feels that the Ottawa Senators’ captain best represents the type of player he wants to become at the professional level; a fierce competitor, who gets involved physically, is always around the opponent’s net and is hard to play against.
Sherbrooke head coach Stéphane Julien recognizes those same qualities in Gauthier. The Phœnix bench boss admits that his forward is someone who plays bigger than his size and who isn’t afraid to get to the dirty areas of the ice to generate scoring chances. He also believes his young charge has the right mix of skills and intangibles to be successful as a pro.
“I think it’s his offensive game as well as his domination around the net,” Julien said about Gauthier’s best assets as a player. “He makes a lot of plays that you notice more on video and does all the details well. His above-average hockey sense ensures that he will always have a place to play, and he already has an NHL caliber shot.”
While Gauthier doesn’t yet know when his name will be called on the NHL Draft floor next summer, he’s the type of person and player that every team would love to have on their roster. Regardless of where his hockey journey takes him, he’s making his family proud every step of the way.
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Ethan Gauthier
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 176 lbs
Date of Birth: January 26, 2005
Birthplace: Phœnix, Arizona
Shoots: Right
