If you’re expecting any cliche answers from Portland Winterhawks goaltender Taylor Gauthier, the soothsayers will be mildly disappointed.
That’s because the former Prince George Cougars netminder is savoring the homecoming when both teams clash at CN Centre tonight (Friday) and Saturday at 7 pm.
The 21-year-old from Calgary was dealt to the Pacific Northwest prior to the WHL Trade Deadline in exchange for overage import defenceman Jonas Brondberg, a 2023 third-round pick as well as conditional fifth-rounders.
Since heading south of the border, Gauthier has done everything but “Keep it Weird” in Portland posting a 12-1-0 record with a 1.61 goals-against average to go along with a save percentage of .944 and three shutouts.
In an interview with MyPGNow.com, Gauthier was quick to credit his teammates for his recent hot streak.
“Before Christmas, they kind of went on a bit of a run, and I came in right in the middle and from there I just fit right into the atmosphere. It was easy to come in and just gel with the guys right away.
“I wouldn’t say I was the missing piece, I think I was a piece that was added to help the team down the stretch here.”
Gauthier admitted the change in climate hasn’t been too bad either.
“It’s not minus twenty every day and we don’t have a lot of snow down there and a lot more traffic. It’s a big city living down there and outside of the rink it’s a lot different.”
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Gauthier played nearly five seasons with the Cougars after being selected 10th overall in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft by former general manager Todd Harkins.
Unfortunately, he was caught in the middle of an extended rebuilding after the Cougars failed to advance past the Winterhawks in the first round of the 2017 WHL Playoffs despite having names like Jansen Harkins, Jesse Gabrielle, Brendan Guhle, Jared Bethune, and Radovan Bondra.
During the 2017-18 campaign, the Cougars fell to last place in the Western Conference with a 24-38-5-5 record.
As a 16-year-old, Gauthier was thrown into the fire sporting an 8-18-3 mark with a 3.96 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.
The following year (2018-19) was even more misery for the Cats who posted a second consecutive last-place finish in the conference going 19-41-5-3 scoring a paltry 152 goals.
Gauthier again faced a lot of rubber going 15-30-6 with a .899 save percentage and a 3.25 goals-against average.
“There were some tough times in the room but the guys and the management and the city made it all worth it.”
It wasn’t until the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season when Mark Lamb assumed both Head Coach and General Manager roles that Gauthier and the Cougars started to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
While the Cats finished 20-34-4-4, Gauthier had his best numbers to date sporting a 2.94 GAA and a .917 save percentage.
The Calgary product admitted while the lack of on-ice success was tough, being embraced by the community for his play is something he’ll never forget.
“You would go out and everyone is so nice and welcoming. That is something I really enjoyed whether it was going out to eat after games, people know who you are and they talk about the game and how you and the team are doing. Everyone really cares about not only you as a hockey player but as a person.”
“All I can say is that I am extremely thankful for my time here and the city is my second home. I will always hold a special place in my heart for this city.”
You just witnessed history, Hawks fans ✨
Taylor Gauthier now holds the longest shutout streak in Club history!
Congrats, @tgoats_35! pic.twitter.com/9NzWdPbBRx
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) February 10, 2022
The Cougars leaned on Gauthier heavily during the Kamloops/Kelowna bubble season as backup Tyler Brennan was part of Canada’s Gold Medal winning team at the U-18 Championships in Plano, Texas.
Gauthier played in 15 games going 7-8-0 as the Cats finished with an overall record of 9-10-2-1.
Going into this season, the Cougars went into camp with the three-headed monster of Gauthier, Brennan, and Ty Young.
Gauthier was unable to be the clear-cut starter as Brennan is a blue-chip prospect for this year’s NHL Draft (currently the top-rated goalie in North America).
“Right when we drafted Brenns he was 16 and I was 18 and we both kind of had the feeling that was going to be the situation. Sometimes that’s just how it is, I don’t hold grudges with anyone on the team or management – that’s hockey. My time was up and it’s Brenns’ time now and I love everyone in that room.”
Once Gauthier steps out onto the CN Centre ice with that Winterhawks jersey on, he admits the emotions might get to him a little more than usual since it’s not just another game.
“I know come gametime there is going to be a little bit extra juice in me and it’s going to be a little harder than usual to suppress those feelings and focus on the game and playing the way I know I can.”
“I’ve worked really hard over the last couple of years to get in this position on a team that has a real chance of doing some damage in the playoffs. I wanted to do that in Prince George but I am down here now and I am on a team now that works hard, has lots of skill and there is a winning culture.”
“It’s going to be really fun.”
Portland sits 3rd in the Western Conference with a 32-13-3-2 record. The Winterhawks are also the seventh-ranked team in the entire CHL.
yup, wizard. https://t.co/K1STJYXTVk
— Portland Winterhawks (@pdxwinterhawks) February 16, 2022
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