ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Late in the 17th game of his NHL career, Cutter Gauthier finally scored a goal for the Anaheim Ducks. Gauthier's teammates and coaches don't expect he'll have to wait so long for the second goal in what's already been a tumultuous year for a gifted rookie learning all about the multifold challenges of pro hockey.
The 20-year-old forward finally found a net with his 36th shot of the season Friday night, beating Detroit's Alex Lyon low off the rush . After 15 straight goalless games this season — and a goalless debut in Anaheim's season finale last April — Gauthier celebrated with both excitement and relief. Even better, his goal broke a tie in what turned out to be a 6-4 victory over the Red Wings .
“Wasn’t due to a lack of opportunities, but it was a dream come true,” Gauthier said. “Against (my) hometown team, Detroit, it was a surreal moment, and I’m just so pumped.” Gauthier has been through plenty in 2024 already, but he hasn't slowed down.
His year began with the end of his awkward standoff with the Philadelphia Flyers, who drafted him fifth overall in 2022. After Gauthier refused to join the club for reasons that still remain unclear, Philly gave up and traded him to the Ducks in January for promising defenseman Jamie Drysdale. Gauthier then finished his final season at Boston College, where he was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist and reached the Frozen Four championship game.
He joined the Ducks for a one-game NHL debut in Apr.