Taylor Gauthier is excelling as a pro.
The former Prince George Cougars netminder was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Year.
Gauthier, suited up for the Wheeling Nailers, the minor-league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 23-year-old went 24-16-0-1 with the Nailers who will play the Indy Fuel in the first round of the ECHL playoffs.
Gauthier was named to the All-ECHL First Team and matched a league record by being chosen as the Goaltender of the Week four times.
He continues to live up to his name… 🐐🎉
Taylor Gauthier has been named the @ECHL 2024 Nick Vitucci Goalie of the Year!
Gauthier is the first goalie in Wheeling Nailers history to receive this honor! #ForgeTheFuture pic.twitter.com/uVKNpDkpX0
— x – Wheeling Nailers (@WheelingNailers) April 18, 2024
He was at or near the top of all ECHL goaltending statistics for most of the season.
The former Cougar compiled a league-leading .923 save percentage, tied for first with four shutouts, second in the ECHL with a 2.23 goals against average.
In March of 2022, he signed an entry-level contract with the Penguins.
Gauthier played 166 career regular season games over five seasons with the Cougars.
He ranked third all-time in games played by a goaltender in franchise history.
Gauthier compiled a 53-87-8-8 record, a 3.19 GAA, and .906 SV%. He also had six career shutouts during his tenure in the northern capital.
PG dealt Gauthier prior to the Trade Deadline to the Portland Winterhawks in exchange for import defenceman Jonas Brøndberg, a 2023 third-round pick and two conditional fifth-round picks.
The Cougars fell to Gauthier and the Winterhawks in a first-round sweep during the 2022 WHL playoffs.
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