Frédérik Gauthier
Canadian centre drafted 21st overall by Toronto in 2013.
Frédérik Gauthier is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for HC Ajoie in Switzerland’s National League. Born on April 26, 1995, in Laval, Quebec, he grew up in Mascouche and was a Montreal Canadiens fan as a child. Gauthier was drafted 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2013 NHL entry draft.
Before turning pro, Gauthier spent three seasons with the Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He originally planned to attend Harvard University and play NCAA hockey, but Sidney Crosby—a former Océanic star—convinced him to stay in Quebec. Gauthier also turned down a spot with the Youngstown Phantoms of the USHL. In his rookie QMJHL season, he put up 60 points in 62 games and was ranked eighth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He helped Rimouski reach the QMJHL playoffs and later won the Guy Carbonneau Trophy in 2014–15. That same season, he scored the double-overtime game-winner in Game 7 of the President’s Cup final against the Quebec Remparts.
Gauthier represented Canada at several international tournaments, winning gold at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Professionally, Gauthier began his career with the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate. He made his NHL debut on March 19, 2016, against the Buffalo Sabres, and recorded his first NHL point on April 6, 2016, with an assist on Morgan Rielly’s goal. His first NHL goal came on December 22, 2016, against the Colorado Avalanche. During the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs, Gauthier suffered a hamstring avulsion injury that required surgery and ended his season. The injury caused him to lose some hamstring muscle and become slightly shorter, though he was back skating in under three months. He later helped the Marlies win their first Calder Cup in franchise history.
Gauthier was called up periodically by the Maple Leafs over subsequent seasons. In January 2018, he played five NHL games before being reassigned to the AHL to keep playing regularly.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1995-04-26
- Birth Place
- Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 5
- Weight Lb
- 235
- Position
- Forward
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- National League
- Team
- HC Ajoie
- Former Teams
- Toronto Maple Leafs / Arizona Coyotes / New Jersey Devils / HC Vityaz
- Draft
- 21st overall
- Draft Year
- 2013
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Gauthier grew up in Mascouche, Quebec, and cheered for the Montreal Canadiens as a child. He played in the 2008 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Montreal Canadiens minor team alongside Anthony Duclair. He later led the Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix to the 2012 Telus Cup, recording two goals and nine assists in seven games. Despite being drafted by the Rimouski Océanic in the QMJHL and intending to study at Harvard, Sidney Crosby convinced him to play junior hockey in Quebec. In his rookie QMJHL season, Gauthier recorded 60 points in 62 games and was ranked eighth among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He won a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During his tenure with the Toronto Marlies, he helped the team win their first Calder Cup in franchise history.
Reader's Guide
Gauthier's professional career began with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization after being drafted 21st overall in 2013. He made his NHL debut on March 19, 2016, against the Buffalo Sabres, and recorded his first NHL point on April 6, 2016, with an assist on Morgan Rielly's goal. His first NHL goal came on December 22, 2016, against the Colorado Avalanche. Gauthier suffered a hamstring injury during the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs that required surgery and shortened his stature. He signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Maple Leafs on July 11, 2018, and played 62 games in the 2018–19 season before a foot injury. After becoming a free agent, he signed a professional tryout with the Arizona Coyotes on December 27, 2020, and later a one-year, two-way contract on January 11, 2021. He subsequently signed a professional tryout with the New Jersey Devils on September 18, 2021. Gauthier left the NHL in 2022 to sign with HC Ajoie in Switzerland, then moved to Vityaz Moscow Region of the KHL in 2024 before returning to Ajoie in 2025.
Did You Know?
- Gauthier played quarterback on his high school football team in addition to hockey.
- His grandfather cursed when he learned Gauthier was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- He lost some hamstring muscles and became shorter after hamstring surgery.
- Gauthier won gold at both the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and 2015 World Junior Championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Frédérik Gauthier?
He is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre born on April 26, 1995, in Laval, Quebec. He currently plays for HC Ajoie in Switzerland's National League.
What are Frédérik Gauthier's physical stats and position?
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, Gauthier plays centre and shoots left-handed.
How was Frédérik Gauthier selected in the NHL draft?
The Toronto Maple Leafs chose him 21st overall in the first round of the 2013 NHL entry draft.
What was Frédérik Gauthier's junior hockey background?
He spent three seasons with the Rimouski Océanic in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before turning professional.
Why did Frédérik Gauthier forgo college hockey?
He had originally planned to attend Harvard University and play NCAA hockey, but Sidney Crosby—himself a former Océanic star—persuaded him to turn pro instead.
More in Arizona Coyotes Players 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced