NASHVILLE | Ethan Gauthier has become the first Quebecer selected in the NHL draft. The Tampa Bay Lightning made it 37e selection of the second round, a choice that previously belonged to the Montreal Canadiens.
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The Lightning had received this choice from the Colorado Avalanche in return for Ross Colton on Tuesday, who in turn had acquired it in the trade that sent Alex Newhook to Montreal.
But that did not make a bend in the young winger! “I’m happy to be a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning!” he said, all smiles, to a colleague who pointed out to him that this selection had belonged to the Habs.
From disappointment to euphoria
That smile was hard – if not impossible – to take away from him, and it went against his feelings just 12 hours earlier, after he had spent the entire first round in the bleachers without hearing his name.
“It was a difficult evening, since I had had good feelings with certain teams. I had discussions that led me to believe that I would go out in the first round. It was a disappointment, since it’s a dream to get drafted in the first round and get on the stage. On the other hand, I am a player of character, it is part of my identity and I will prove that I deserved to be a first round choice.
In the evening, after the first round, Gauthier and his family had met the general manager of the Lightning, Julien BriseBois, as well as the director of hockey operations of the team, Mathieu Darche.
“I hadn’t spoken much to the Lightning. Mathieu told me he expected me to go out in the first round. […] As for BriseBois, he didn’t even talk to me about the repechage. He just told me to enjoy the moment and that I was a player they really liked.
The best possible destination
Once the disappointment was over, Gauthier looked at the selection order for the second round and circled the 37e selection, that of the Lightning.
“When I saw Tampa Bay was talking at 37e rank, I said to my brother, “If I go to Tampa, I’ll be the happiest guy in the world.” I am honored to be part of this organization. […] They have demonstrated in recent years that they know how to build winning teams and that is what excites me the most about joining their organization.
In 66 games with the Sherbrooke Phœnix last season, Gauthier tallied 69 points. He was recently traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs.