| Cutter Gauthier | NTDP U18 | USHL | L | LW | 6’2″ | 192 | Boston College | 2022 | Northville, MI | 2004 | 2021-2022: A- |
U18: NTDP vs Team Sweden, November 10, 2021: In the 5-2 win versus Sweden Gauthier earned 15:09 in total ice time, including 1:25 while on the power play and 1:31 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 0 shots, 1 hit and 5 giveaways versus 5 takeaways. We feel that Gauthier’s stride looked more fluid and more explosive than he did at the USHL’s Fall Classic. He looked to have jump in his legs from the start winning races to 50/50 pucks and showing a powerful cross-under that we did not see in Pittsburgh. Gauthier had a few opportunities to rip the puck in the first period, but chose to pass or look for the downhill tip instead. With his quick release and ability to shoot in stride we would love to see him fire hard 12″ shot passes at the far pad for rebounds opportunities, but with that being said he showed excellent vision and awareness as the puck carrier on zone entries.
U18: NTDP vs Cornell, October 23, 2021: In the 4-2 loss to Cornell Gauthier earned 18:42 in total ice time, including 3:44 while on the power play and 4:09 while short handed. Statistically he had 1 assist, had a -1 plus / minus, 0 shots on net, won 2 of 6 face-offs and had 6 giveaways versus 3 takeaways. Gauthier was fairly quiet. He showed good game awareness in the 1st period making a nice, little touch pass in the neutral zone as he faced his teammate while feeling a defender was tight on his back so he had no time or space to turn with the puck. He picked up power play assist in 2nd period by doing a simple pass moving the puck down low to #18 Cooley.
USHL: U18 NTDP vs Fargo Force, September 26, 2021: In the 5-4 loss to Fargo Gauthier earned 16:38 in total ice time, including 1:11 while on the power play and 1:37 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus, 3 shots on goal (1PP), 2 grade “A” scoring opportunities, went 0 for 1 on face-offs, had 2 hits, 2 blocked shots and 3 giveaways versus 5 takeaways. Again Gauthier played primarily the off wing, but to us he looked more comfortable along the defensive walls and handling hard passes on his backhand especially when streaking through the neutral zone. He shot with his feet moving and showed the ability to use defenders as screens. One thing we did not like, in the second period Gauthier had a quick one-timer in the slot where the goalie made a quick awkward save that left a rebound in the low slot or paint. From our vantage point in the offensive zone corner we saw Gauthier cruise by the net looking to ceiling in disbelief rather than stopping hard at the crease looking to bang one home.
USHL: U18 NTDP vs Sioux City Musketeers, September 25, 2021: In the the 4-2 Team USA win Gauthier earned 12:46 in total ice time, including 0:47 while on the power play and 0:57 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 1 goal, was -1, had 2 shots (2PP), went 0 for 2 at face-offs, had 1 hit and had 4 giveaways versus 3 takeaways. Today was the first game of the 2021-22 season and Team USA looked to be rolling all four lines fairly equally. Gauthier started the game at right wing with Cooley and Howard. The sequence for his goal was exactly the type of thing that NHL teams will be expecting on a nightly basis. Hard back pressure caused a turnover at the defensive blueline which led to quick transition and a in zone cycling for the unit. Gauthier read the weak spot in Sioux City’s defensive zone coverage and slipped to the weakside, where he received a puck on his backhand and quickly shifted the puck to his forehand showing poise and awareness before outwaiting a sprawling netminder for the goal. Although he is going to need work on his defensive zone wall play the combination of size, awareness and skill had the NHL scouts taking note.
USHL: U18 NTDP Vs Youngstown Phantoms, April 24, 2021: In the 3-1 loss to the Phantoms Gauthier earned 23:16 in total ice time, including 4:03 while on the power play and 2:03 while shorthanded. Statistically he finished with 0 points, an even plus / minus rating, 6 shots on goal (6PP), 2 grade “A” scoring opportunities, won 11 of 26 face-offs, 3 blocked shots and 5 giveaways versus 9 takeaways. Offensively Gauthier was dangerous all game. His ability to scan the ice while on the way to a scrum or loose puck made it look like he had eyes in the back of his head. At one point he was coming back into his end as the F1, he saw a loose puck at the top of the circle and quickly turned to fire a 75′ pass to a linemate streaking through the neutral zone. His release was quick and the Phantom’s goalie had a difficult time reading his release point so secondary scoring opportunities were available for his linemates. Tonight Gauthier was a two-way force for Team USA.
USHL: U18 NTDP vs Youngstown Phantoms, April 22, 2021: In Team USA’s 7-6 loss to Youngstown Gauthier earned 22:03 in total ice time, including 2:53 while on the power play and 4:19 while short handed. Statistically he finished with 1 assist, was -3, had 2 power play shots, 2 grade “A” scoring chances, won 7 of 19 face-offs, had 1 blocked shot and 7 giveaways versus 3 takeaways. As you can tell by the score there was a lot of circling in this game and not a lot of attention to detail. Gauthier’s overall game was reflective of that. It is very easy to tell that physically he is ready to play at a higher level or a faster pace, and even though he played more than any other American forward we feel tonight was a game to learn from.
USA U17 NTDP vs Soo Eagles. Two Games, October 15, 2020: Cutter is a big, strong player who plays at a high pace game with highly skilled hands and strong skating stride. He is a smart player who has the vision to find the open player before he gets the puck. He scored 2 goals as he scored on the back door and also in the slot area beating the goalie glove low. He set up his teammates for multiple goals as he puts the puck on the stick. He protects the puck with his size and long reach as he will work the corners and rolls out with speed and will take the puck to the net. Grade A
MAHA Bantam Festival 2004, April 19, 2020: Cutter is a big kid around 5’10 with a strong skating stride. He will use his size and reach to take the puck to the net. He has quick hands and the ability to beat players 1 vs 1. He has a quick release and the ability to find the open player. He is a smart player who has a lot of patience with puck as he is an offensive force. He scored a couple of goals and set up his teammates for goals for a great week of camp.
HPHL U16 Showcase, December 6, 2019: Gauthier is dominant with the puck on his stick. High-end puck skills and he is exceptional in traffic. He can stick handle out of any jam and is very good in tight space. Howitzer of a shot with a great release and accuracy. Strong, powerful stride and athletic feet. Major scoring threat with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. Grade: A-
USA Hockey Select 15 Development Camp, August 24, 2019: Cutter was a high pick by our scouts in our All-Star draft. He played all week with a strong stick and was very good early on in the 3v3 part of camp. Cutter is tall and strong. He was able to extend possession to allow plays to develop or bully his way to the net. He went really hard to the net and was not there to make friends. He scored on a strong snipe on day two against Gold. He also showed good speed in open ice and could pull away from backcheckers. Cutter hunted pucks with intensity. Against red, he went in on the forecheck, hit the defenseman, took the puck and immediately set up a teammate in front for great chance. His hands are strong and he buzzed hard passes on the tape. His game is unusually mature and low risk/high reward. He valued possession, won lots of puck battles and can get off checks. His edges are strong and he can fire the puck in stride. His shot is a bullet and even though he only scored once here, we think he is a scorer. Rare combination of power and skill and a prospect who plays well beyond his years. Grade: A-
World Selects Invite 2004 Division, July 10, 2019: Cutter is big, strong and mature physically. He is a beast compared to others at this level. He used that advantage to hunt pucks, forecheck hard and clog lanes in his end. He played with Melee and Moldenhauer and did a lot of the dirty work for that group. Cutter is not however just a big body. His stride was smooth and he got full use of his long legs followed by a good glide. He is a fast player and will only get faster as he continues to develop. He used his speed and reach to find a lot of pucks. Burst into a scrum, scooped up a puck and fired a rifle home for one goal. He used his body well to protect and distribute the puck. He is a low risk/high reward power forward. Played a pro-style as he valued possession, played a heavy game and never forced anything. He was productive and intimidating without being flashy. He shot to tips, had a terrific net front presence and found rebounds. Played U16 last season and it certainly showed here. He combined speed, balance, size, toughness and smarts to have an impact every shift. Grade: A
MAHA Festival 2004s, June 30, 2019: Cutter is an explosive skater who has strong edges with the ability to separate himself from the defender. He is strong on the puck by using his long reach and using size to protect the puck. He is very confident with his skills as uses his patient and vision to handle the puck. He had some scoring chances for himself and his teammates but failed to capitalize. Overall he had a great camp and he is definitely a player to watch next year.
U16: USA Hockey Nationals, May 14, 2019: Gauthier is a special prospect out out of Sweden who is the teams leading scorer as an ’04. He’s got all the tools you look for in a power/skill combo forward. He has size, he’s strong on his edges, has a fluid, balanced stride and the body strength to fight through checks and offensively and push opponents off pucks defensively. He has a quick, powerful release on his snap and wrist shot and he showed the ability to control the puck while at full speed on the rush. Highly athletic he’s able to pull away from opponents in the neutral zone and get inside on defenders on the rush; he had one end to end rush where he dangled a forechecker in the neutral zone, gained the blue line and cut across the top circles and blasted a snap shot across his body but went just over the net. He was able to finish later in that game on a breakaway where he pulled away from the defender in the neutral zone and was able to keep his head up, read the goalie and fire a low snap shot goal past the goalie. What stood out here other than his size, athleticism and skating ability was his play away from the puck; he gets into the right spots in the offensive zone to get open and be in a scoring area and he is willing to drive the net and bring a defender with him and is strong enough to get his stick on rebounds and score in traffic. He has the versatility to rush the puck wide and feed the slot with passes showing touch and ability to sauce the puck in stride and he can also cut in and either shoot from the outside or stickhandle and get in tight on goalies. High upside prospect who will have plenty of opportunities at the NCAA/CHL level as one of the best 2004 prospects in North America.
U15/U16: Battle of the Border, December 20, 2018: Cutter is one of the youngest players at this showcase but plays at high level for his age. He has the size and skill to be an effective player in the future. He is a fast and strong skater who can beat players 1 vs 1 while using his quick hands. He plays a smart game and has his head up as he created plenty of scoring chances. He is not afraid of playing against the older players as he will drive to the net using his size and reach.
U16: HPHL Showcase, December 10, 2018: Gauthier was not bad, but he was not what we have come to expect of him in this showcase. His high-end skating ability is always clear, but he was not overly effective in getting much going offensively. It was not for a lack of effort, just seemed to be missing an offensive gear and could not get many opportunities generated in our viewing. Excellent skater with a nice stride, quick feet, and excellent speed and agility. He’s a fine young player who more than holds his own at this level and even in this event he was not out of place, he just wasn’t a standout like we have come to expect. We expect a bounce-back going forward. Grade: C+
U15/U16: HPHL Illinois Showcase, November 29, 2018: You wouldn’t know he is one of the youngest players in the league by watching him play. He has size and strength for his age to go along with his ability to shoot the puck. He got shots off quickly and was able to get scoring chances. It will take him time for the game to slow down, but for now he is doing just fine. His strong skating ability and size gave him confidence to hold on to the puck and take that extra split second to make a play. He will only get better as the year goes along.
STX 68 Combine, August 20, 2018: Gauthier is the complete package and arguably the best player on the ice this weekend. Size, speed, skill, snarl, he does it all. Great effort in all three zones. Very physical and punishing, but conversely a real soft touch and playmaking ability with the puck. Can also play a power game and drive the net hard and camp out in front of the net for rebounds and deflections. High-end speed and feet, very strong stride and generates a lot of power. Very difficult to defend. Standout effort in these games.
TPE Spring, April 16, 2018: Gauthier is a nice combination of size and footspeed that causes issues if you have to defend him in open ice. His edges are strong and he takes every chance to dive bomb the offensive zone with speed. He was quiet for large stretches of this game, but you can tell that he has the athleticism to go off for a shift or two if you leave him unchecked.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
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