Former Leafs 1st round pick heading to Europe to continue pro hockey career
A former Leafs first round pick has been left without any NHL offers and has decided to accept a one-year deal in Europe to try to raise his stock in hopes of parlaying a strong 2022-23 season overseas into an opportunity to continue his NHL career in the future.
According to a Maple Leafs Hot Stove contributor, former 21st overall pick in 2013, Frederik Gauthier, has elected to sign a one-year deal with HC Ajoie of the Swiss National League, where he'll play with former Toronto Marlies teammate T.J. Brennan.
Gauthier spent the bulk of the 2021-22 season with the AHL's Utica Comets, suiting up in 51 games for the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, posting 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points. He also made it into 8 regular season NHL games for the Devils last season, though he was held off the scoresheet through those 8 contests and finished a -1 on the season.
At 6'5, 239 lbs, Gauthier was a Brian Burke draft pick from the "truculence" era in Toronto. Unfortunately he never amounted to much for the Leafs aside from a 4th line checking center with no offensive upside whatsoever. Gauthier played parts of 5 seasons with the Leafs before departing via free agency in 2020, inking a deal for a cup of coffee in Arizona before joining the Devils organization last summer.
In 178 career NHL games, Gauthier has managed just 13 goals and 31 points and 47 penalty minutes.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 2 | 541 ANSWERS Former Leafs 1st round pick heading to Europe to continue pro hockey career Will Frederik Gauthier ever play in the NHL again? | ||
| No | 465 | 86 % |
| Yes | 76 | 14 % |
| List of polls | ||
