Photo Courtesy: Allen Douglas Photography

By Ethan Ready

Prince George Cougars

Cougars’ Taylor Gauthier eager to bring NHL hopes alive as undrafted free agent

Aug 23, 2021 | 6:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – In a few weeks time, Prince George Cougars’ goalie Taylor Gauthier will be heading to Toronto to partake in the Maple Leafs Development Camp from September 9-14.

Despite going undrafted for a third consecutive year, the 20-year-old actually admits he became aware his hopeful path to pro hockey was going to be as an undrafted free agent.

“That was a big turning point in my career and my mindset after the first year and not being drafted, going to Boston for their development camp in the summer and then their rookie tournament in September,” said Gauthier. “I kind of realized that just because you don’t get drafted it’s not the end of the road. Especially in the later rounds, you see it in the NHL these days, there are just as many undrafted players in the league as there are late-round draft picks.”

He had an impressive 2020-21 BC Division Hub season. The Calgary product played in 15 of the Cougars’ 22 games and posted seven wins, along with a 2.74 goals-against average and .915 save percentage. He also had one shutout. He was twice named the Western Hockey League (WHL) Goaltender of the Week. Gauthier also won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in January.

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In 152 career regular season games in the WHL, the overage netminder has posted 46 wins, a 3.23 GAA, and .904 SV%. He has six career shutouts.

Following July’s draft, the Calgary-product heard from his agent that both Buffalo and Toronto were interested in having him attend their development camps. After spending 2019 at the Boston Bruins development camp, Goats feels that experience has better prepared him for this time around in Toronto.

“Going there and seeing the dedication and the commitment that all those guys have, I think it really helped with my progress and growth as a player on and off the ice. I think I brought that back to PG, and I think I’ve grown a lot in the last two years since I returned from that camp.”

Gauthier’s decision to head to Toronto for camp with the Leafs has actually stirred up some feuds within the Gauthier family as well. While he himself was born in Calgary, much of his family actually is from Prince Edward Island where many are either fans of the Montreal Canadiens or the Leafs.

“I think I kind of split the family up a little bit,” joked Gauthier. “I think my dad is having the hardest time. He’s a diehard Montreal fan. But if things go the way I’m hoping for, there will be a couple more Leafs fans in the family.”

With the opportunity to impress those high up in the Maple Leafs organization, Gauthier is eager to get to Toronto. His goals are clear, but he’s keeping himself grounded.

“I think obviously my number one goal is to go to Toronto, earn a contract, and go pro this year. At the end of the day, if that doesn’t work out, I’m super excited to get back to Prince George”

Gauthier believes the work General Manager & Head Coach Mark Lamb has established with the club has set the Cougars up for both immediate and long-term success.

As of right now, the Cougars do have five over-agers on their roster including Gauthier. They will need to be at three shortly after the season gets underway in October.

Gauthier is hopeful gets to finish his junior career with the Cougars, however, he also says he understands the business side of the game.

“It would be difficult but at the end of the day, as much s I would like to stay in Prince George and finish my career there, I do understand it’s a business and it comes down to numbers. I’m sure if we could keep all five of us, I’m sure Mark (Lamb) would.”

Whether it’s with the Leafs, the Toronto Marlies (Leafs AHL affiliate), Cougars, or another WHL team, Gauthier is putting in the work ahead of this season. Just moments before jumping on a Zoom call with CKPGToday.ca, he was on the ice with the likes of current NHLers Dillon Dube (Flames), Auston Wagner (Kings), Josh Morrissey (Jets), and Adam Lowry (Jets).

So either way, he’ll be ready for whatever shots come his way.