ANAHEIM, Calif. — In general manager Pat Verbeek’s first draft with the Ducks in 2022, he used his team’s two valuable first round selections on a pair of acclaimed prospects: defenseman Pavel Mintyukov and center Nathan Gaucher. Gaucher, a two-way forward, is looking to join Mintyukov at the NHL level after spending extensive time at the amateur level.
Gaucher currently plays for Anaheim’s American Hockey League affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, where he’s tallied 17 points on six goals and 11 assists through 55 games this season.
Crucially, Gaucher has skated in every single game this season and while his AHL numbers aren’t eye-popping, his physical frame and work ethic look promising. He’s only 20 years old and already has plenty of experience under his belt; he was a four-year veteran of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, played in two World Junior Championships and now as an AHL newcomer, he’s eyeing the NHL as his final destination.
At 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, there is no question that Gaucher has an NHL-caliber frame. The Quebec native cemented his status as a first-round pick after his third season with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts, when he notched 57 points on 26 assists and a whopping 31 goals with an efficient plus-30 rating. In the 2022 World Juniors, his first as an NHL draftee, Gaucher won gold with Team Canada and headed into his final QMJHL season with some steam.
Gaucher truly broke out in the 2022-23 season and further established his winning mentality. He was among the Remparts’ top scorers despite playing in only 44 games, posting 46 points on a plus-35 rating with 22 goals and 24 assists. He helped lead Quebec to a QMJHL championship and a Memorial Cup title with 16 points in 18 playoff games. And in 2023, Gaucher won gold with the Canadian juniors again, this time as an alternate captain.
Nathan Gaucher makes it a one-goal game! pic.twitter.com/hOKZslYmiz
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 31, 2023
Gaucher’s strong build in conjunction with some of his other polished abilities allow him to be versatile and effective up the middle. Gaucher is undoubtedly a two-way center; he’s not afraid to forecheck and he’ll charge the puck by any means, even if it requires making big hits on opponents to win puck battles. Gaucher is also a fast and powerful skater, and can create offensive chances in a variety of ways, whether it be using his size to screen goaltenders or firing a shot from virtually anywhere in the offensive zone.
While his physique made him a dominant presence at the junior level, now in the AHL, it’s a different world for Gaucher. With plenty of time to develop, his biggest test will be translating his previous QMJHL success over to the AHL and eventually, the NHL. While he has plenty of upside, his stickhandling ability could use some work. He sometimes struggles with controlling the puck and his hands don’t look fluid, but rather stiff and choppy. However, Gaucher’s ability to play both wing and center will benefit him from trying out multiple lines and roles with the Gulls before a call-up to the Ducks.
Next season, when Anaheim has Trevor Zegras back and healthy, Mason McTavish coming off his best season yet and Leo Carlsson destined for a breakout sophomore campaign, the Ducks will likely have their corps of centers largely figured out.
However, as shown this season, injuries can trouble any roster and if prospects like Gaucher can make their mark at the minor-league level, an NHL call-up is always possible. Gaucher’s positional flexibility could also help him reach the NHL sooner rather than later.
Gaucher has the potential to be a reliable depth piece for Anaheim’s future core. While he’s had his fair share of peaks and valleys, as a rookie in the AHL, he’ll have time to adjust and climb the ladder with time. The Ducks’ prospect pool is deep, but mainly on the blue line, so Gaucher will have the chance to make noise as a forward if he can play up to NHL standards.