Prospect Info: Syracuse Crunch, Orlando Solar Bears & Prospects

[Felonious Python]

Orlando needs to get nastier, I think.

Not going out and targeting domes or anything, but guys like Corey Perry and Pat Maroon.

Florida has always upped the ante in terms of dirty play, especially if there's a serious threat they could lose. Orlando played hard, but I don't think they had that slippery element. Sometimes you just need a guy to fall onto the other goalie a little too easily. Scamps, basically.

We didn't really need those things this playoff season. It wasn't the primary reason why we won or lost, but I've seen every Florida-Orlando playoff game there's been, and Orlando has always been the good boys, and always lost the series.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Gauthier with 2 goals and 1 assist helps Drummondville take Game 3.







Not only can Drummondville sweep tomorrow for a QMJHL Championship, but Gauthier (with 13 goals, 24 points) has set himself in good position for the Guy Lafleur Trophy given to the QMJHL playoffs MVP. The last few Bolts prospects to win Q playoffs MVP were Adam Erne in 2015 and Brad Richards in 2000. Jonathan Drouin also won it in 2013 right before he was drafted.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

google translated:

The @VoltigeursDRU had high expectations when they got their hands on Ethan Gauthier. Tuesday, the hope of @TBLightning will have the opportunity to lift the Gilles-Courteau trophy in his hometown

“It must be a special moment for him, a ‘kid’ from Drummond, who is capable of contributing to the attack, who is capable of making the difference on the ice,” said his coach Sylvain Favreau. He did it throughout the season, but he took it one step further in the playoffs."

“When you get on the ice, you have butterflies, you want to go,” described the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect. "You feel it. You want to go to war. It's so strong. You feel that the fans are behind you. As an emotional player, I play with energy. I feed off that."

In this third game, he also distributed four hits – the highest total of the two teams – and did not hesitate to disturb the opponent with wise words. We saw him at work on his team's bench as he sent his best wishes to Justin Poirier, who had just missed the net on a one-timer.

“Most of the time, he’s the one calling the shots for us,” boasted captain Luke Woodworth. "He's so tenacious. He does several good things, he is not one-dimensional. He chases the opponent on a forecheck, he scores, he passes the puck. It can make a difference in so many aspects. It makes the game easier for us."

“Ethan is a player who stands up in big moments,” concluded Favreau. "We have seen it in the past. This is largely why we purchased it. Having him on our side helps us a lot."

“Ethan is a player who stands up in big moments. He takes his game to another level in the playoffs. We saw it from the series against Saint-Jean,” underlined Sylvain Favreau.

“Ethan is leading the charge for us,” added teammate Luke Woodworth. "He is not a one-dimensional player. He does several things well: he is effective on the forecheck, he is capable of scoring and distributing the puck. It is very easy to play with such a player. It can make a difference in many ways.”

Having grown up dreaming of this moment, Ethan Gauthier admitted to feeling butterflies in his stomach while jumping on the ice. “On each side, we feel that the crowd supports their team and takes it to heart. Tonight, it was very noisy, we used that energy in a good way. As an emotional player who plays with energy, I thrive on those moments.”

“The guys all believe in it,” said Ethan Gauthier. "The guys buy the game system. That’s what’s allowed us to be successful so far.”

Gauthier’s relationship with the Volts runs deep; his father, Denis, was a star defenseman in Drummondville during the mid-90’s. His brother, Kaylen, also suited up for over 100 games with the team. For Voltigeurs’ General Manager Yanick Lemay, the decision to deliver yet another Gauthier to the club was easy.

“The Gauthier name in Drummondville is pretty popular for sure, but first and foremost he’s a great player and a great person,” Lemay explains. “He fit into our plans perfectly. He’s a two-way player with skill. Plus, he grew up as a Voltigeurs. When you have someone like that who cares about the team, it was really appealing.”

Gauthier has taken the next step seamlessly. One of the best people to provide insight on his progression is the current Voltigeurs Head Coach. A year ago, Sylvain Favreau was on the Mooseheads’ bench, facing Gauthier in that aforementioned semi-final.

“Facing him last season, he was in more of a secondary role but was still a threat every time he was on the ice,” Favreau recalls. “He’s taken a step in his maturity this year. He’s fiery, just like his father was. And now, to be wearing the jersey he wore all through his childhood, it was an adjustment. But how he’s been able to elevate his game has been unbelievable.”

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

Gauthier gives Drummondville a 1-0 lead 5 and a half minutes in

 

[TheDaysOf 04]