Date Published: 1-5-2022
Photo Credit: Team USA
The 2023 WJC tournament has come to a close, so now it’s time to assess how two Flyers prospects in Cutter Gauthier and Brian Zanetti fared during the tournament. First up, Cutter Gauthier.
Gauthier did not register a point against Latvia, but he was by far one of the best skaters and one of the best skaters on the ice for that matter. He logged the third most ice time for an American in that particular game registering 19:21 of ice time, and also registered five shots on net. Yes, both Red Savage and Dylan Duke had a day with 1g,1a each, but Gauthier stood out amongst the rest especially with the way he carried the puck up the ice. For that matter Gauthier was one of the best skaters against a Slovakian team, as well.
Unfortunately, as the tournament progressed, so did some inconsistencies for this young man. Gauthier, 18, stands at 6’2 and weighs in at 189 pounds. Not only is this a solid build for not only a pro hockey player, but it gives the Flyers much needed size down the middle in the future. However, he did not use his size to his advantage for two games, and actually didn’t find his groove until Team USA played the Germans, to which he amassed 2g, 1a, whole being a plus four in the process. His size and skating really wreaked havoc on the Latvian and German teams, and it felt like he was always making a play. The puck appeared to be glued to his stick, do not panic fans the points will come, but then boom it disappeared against Finland and Slovakia. This is all part of the developmental aspect and growing pains of a young prospect, featured with a ton of hype.
It’s okay to show some inconsistencies for this tournament. He’s young, but one other key aspect was he was used primarily on the wing, as opposed to the Center position like he was at Boston College. They are different positions and some takes time to get used to, however, there are not many games at a tournament to finally feel 100% comfortable in a different position. Again this is part of the growing pain aspect. Gauthier finished the tournament with 4g,6a in seven games played. Not a bad tournament by any means, just an inconsistent one where he disappeared in a few games.
A young Gauthier was born in Sweden. His father was a goalie in the Swedish Elite League, so it’s kind of shocking he has become a Power Forward. The first name Cutter came from a Swedish cookbook, yup a cook book as Cutter exclaimed after he was drafted by the orange and black. For his efforts he is killing it for the Boston College Men’s Hockey Team this season, as he has netted nine goals and six assists in 13 games played.
Believe it or not Gauthier was the guy the Flyers wanted from day one, they love his shot, size, and his skating abilities for being a more sizeable prospect in the pipeline. Moreover, they love what he can eventually become, especially with his candidness to shoot the puck. The Flyers are now targeting shoot-first players, and it’s become evident with the past two drafts. For instance, Tyson Foerster’s best ability is his shot, while Samu Tuomaala, although struggling in the Liiga League, is a first shot mentality player. The Flyers are really trying to find a sniper(s) to wreak havoc on their opponents in the future, but patience might be key with a Bronze Medalist in Gauthier.
