Gauthier and Gill, from teammates to title battle
A little over a year ago, Ethan Gauthier and Justin Gill sat at their stalls in the Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet in shock and despair. A 2-0 semi-finals series lead over the Halifax Mooseheads had been squandered, and another off-season loomed.
For the top veterans at the junior level, chasing the top prize becomes more pronounced as the clock winds down. Fortunately for Gauthier and Gill, that opportunity quickly appeared before them following this moment of disappointment.
And so it is that these teammates have taken the next step. Both are chasing the Gilles-Courteau Trophy, having made the leap from semi-finalists to the championship round. Only thing is, they’re stepping into different, separate dressing rooms these days.
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Much like any player whose season has come to an end, following the 2023 postseason, Ethan Gauthier came home. Thanks to an off-season trade from the Sherbrooke Phoenix to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, there he remains. Gauthier’s relationship with the Volts runs deep; his father, Denis, was a star defenseman in Drummondville during the mid-90’s. His brother, Kaylen, also suited up for over 100 games with the team. For Voltigeurs’ General Manager Yanick Lemay, the decision to deliver yet another Gauthier to the club was easy.
“The Gauthier name in Drummondville is pretty popular for sure, but first and foremost he’s a great player and a great person,” Lemay explains. “He fit into our plans perfectly. He’s a two-way player with skill. Plus, he grew up as a Voltigeurs. When you have someone like that who cares about the team, it was really appealing.”
Gauthier, who was selected in the second round by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has delivered. After a 36-goal, 71-point regular season, the 19-year-old winger has continued to roll, averaging over a point per game during the Volts’ march to the Final. Although he no doubt takes some time to bask in nostalgia, Gauthier is very aware of the task at hand.
“Coming into this season, I saw the opportunity for a fresh start,” he says. “It was such an honor to be part of the Phoenix the past two years and to go on a long playoff run with my brother. But to come to Drummondville, it was unreal to see that trade take place. I’m super grateful to have a chance to play for a team that has another chance to win a championship.”
Gauthier has taken the next step seamlessly. One of the best people to provide insight on his progression is the current Voltigeurs Head Coach. A year ago, Sylvain Favreau was on the Mooseheads’ bench, facing Gauthier in that aforementioned semi-final.
“Facing him last season, he was in more of a secondary role but was still a threat every time he was on the ice,” Favreau recalls. “He’s taken a step in his maturity this year. He’s fiery, just like his father was. And now, to be wearing the jersey he wore all through his childhood, it was an adjustment. But how he’s been able to elevate his game has been unbelievable.”
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There’s no doubt the experience Ethan Gauthier has gained in the years leading up to this homecoming has provided the basis for a memorable 2023-24 campaign. Justin Gill stood witness to all of it. Not only teammates but, for an extended period of time, linemates, Gill played a pivotal role in the difference maker Gauthier has become. But as they say, game recognizes game.
Gill is in the final stretch of his junior career. After going from depth forward to first-liner with the Phoenix last year, the 21-year-old from Montreal added two new uniforms to his collection; first, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar, who welcomed him to the squad via a draft weekend trade. Then, the New York Islanders, who claimed the two-time 40-goal scorer in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. For Gill, the opportunity to go on one last postseason run was crucial.
“Obviously, I wanted to have an impact, both individually and as a group,” Gill notes. “I was hopeful to end up with a competitive team so I could get back to where I was with Sherbrooke.”
After a league-leading 53 regular season wins and a 12-1 record through three rounds of playoff action, it’s safe to say Gill has been satisfied so far. But it’s the unexpected results that have given the overager a lift in May.
“We have a number of guys who most people hadn’t really seen play until this year,” Gill points out. “I think the Boilard brothers (Jules and Raoul) have really taken people by surprise. Trading for Julien Paillé was huge. I don’t think anyone expected this kind of season from him. Even someone like Justin Poirier, no one would have guessed he’d score 50 as a 17-year-old. As the season went on, we’ve all bought in and it’s worked out very well.”
His Head Coach and GM, Jean-François Grégoire, couldn’t be happier with either Gill or his teammates.
“Sometimes the guys leading the charge can tire at times with those responsibilities,” Grégoire explains. “Justin always finds a way, though. He wants to win. He on a mission. And he’s showing the way on and off the ice. It’s a perfect situation for our entire team.”
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Hockey is built on ironies and coincidence. This is just the latest in a long line of them. But as Gill’s first-place Drakkar battles Gauthier’s second-place Voltigeurs, the storyline is already an intriguing one. Though there are bigger things at stake, it’s a thought not lost on the two ex-teammates.
“I was fortunate to be on the same line as Justin for the better part of two years,” Gauthier recalls. “I have great memories of him in Sherbrooke. I was there with him in Nashville when we both got drafted. I’m super proud of what he’s done. When we’re on the ice, it’s all business, but I know he wants the best for me and I want the best for him. I’m sure we’ll both step up in this series.”
Gill’s assessment is both cheekier and more to the point.
“I liked (Ethan) better when he was on my team,” he says with a laugh. “He’s such a strong forward. Both hard to play against plus skilled. It’s a tough combination.”
A tough combination, yes. But just another reason to expect a fantastic display of skill between these two players, and these two teams, as this title clash continues.
