Cutter Gauthier, the Philadelphia Flyers’ first-round selection in 2022, is generating significant excitement as he returns to Boston College for another season. The young center, known for his exceptional size, speed, and scoring ability, has already shown immense potential.
In his freshman year at Boston College, Gauthier lived up to the hype by leading the team in scoring with an impressive 37 points in 32 games. However, it’s clear that he’s still evolving and fine-tuning his game.
This summer, Gauthier gained valuable experience by participating in the USA Hockey World Junior Summer Showcase. This event, featuring U20 national teams from Sweden and Finland, allowed Gauthier to further hone his skills. He played a pivotal role in Team USA’s bronze medal win at the 2023 World Juniors in Halifax, and he’ll be a crucial asset when the competition shifts to Gothenburg, Sweden.
But Gauthier’s international journey didn’t stop there. He received a prestigious invitation to play at the Men’s World Championship in Finland and Latvia. Despite narrowly missing out on a bronze medal, Gauthier cherished the opportunity to share the ice with NHL veterans and gain insights from seasoned pros. He particularly looked up to Buffalo Sabres’ right winger Alex Tuch, also an NTDP alumnus, for his high level of competitiveness and professionalism.
Reflecting on the experience, Gauthier expressed his gratitude, saying
It was super-surreal. Getting to play with NHL players and pros who have been in the league for many years — the league you’re striving to be in — it’s cool to take little things away from their game, whether it’s on or off the ice. Overall, it was a great experience.
Returning to Boston College for the upcoming season, Gauthier is eager to apply the lessons he learned from playing against top-level competition. His impressive performance during the international games, where he scored seven goals and accumulated nine points in ten matches, established him as one of Team USA’s top scorers.
Gauthier notedThe faster I can get adjusted, the better. Whether it’s backchecking harder or making a quicker pass, just all the little things to acclimate myself to that higher standard.
With his stellar performance at last season’s World Juniors, where he tallied 10 points in seven games, Gauthier remains a player to watch for Team USA in the upcoming competition in Gothenburg. The team is already considered a strong contender for the gold medal.
Team USA is not only banking on returnees like Gauthier but also keeping an eye on emerging talents. A trio of standouts from last year’s NTDP, Will Smith (SJ), Ryan Leonard (WSH), and Gabe Perreault (NYR), all first-round picks in the 2023 draft, will join Gauthier at Boston College this season. This impressive recruitment class has heightened expectations for the Eagles.
Gauthier, who followed their progress closely, is excited to mentor his new teammates. He mentioned
I definitely kept my eye on them. I saw that top line dominate at the world U18s over in Switzerland and kept in touch with them through the combine and the draft. They were asking me questions since I went through it not long ago, so I’m trying to be a bit of a mentor for them, a shoulder to lean on.
Boston College is coming off a somewhat average season, finishing eighth in their conference. However, with Gauthier’s return and the addition of promising talents, the team is poised for a more successful campaign.
While Gauthier had the opportunity to explore a professional career, he remains true to his commitment to Boston College. He explained
That was definitely in the back of my mind after the second half last year, but I committed to going back for Year 2, and I’m a man of my word. So that’s what’s going to happen.
This decision is undoubtedly good news for both Boston College and Team USA’s world junior squad. However, it may not be as welcome for the opponents who will have to contend with Gauthier’s exceptional skills and determination on the ice in the upcoming season. Cutter Gauthier is undeniably poised for a remarkable season ahead.
