SIGNING: Gauthier comes on board with Clan
The Glasgow Clan, sponsored by Aspray Glasgow West, are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian forward Guillaume Gauthier.
The 25-year-old, who hails from Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec, is making his first steps into professional ice hockey after leaving McGill University last year.
But after taking a year out because of the Covid outbreak, Gauthier is excited to get back and pick up where he left off.
“I can’t wait to get over to Scotland,” he said. “I haven’t played in a while after taking a year off because of Covid, but I’m thrilled to be getting back to play the game I love.
“I consider myself as a smart player. both offensively and defensively and I like to score goals. The more I have the puck on my stick, the better I feel I am so I want to produce offensively.
“It was a weird situation for me. I had considered going pro after I left McGill, but wasn’t sure about the experience of playing with no fans and not be allowed to travel.
“When I saw teams were recruiting again and my friends were out signing contracts, I wanted to get back in again and I’m delighted for this opportunity.
“All I want to do is play hockey, learn and absorb everything for my first year.
Gauthier played one game with Orlando Solar Bears in the ECHL prior to lockdown in March 2020 after having just signed for them.
Prior to that, he had played for four years at McGill, coached by one-time Clan player Liam Heelis where he made 123 appearances, scored 45 goals and made 56 assists for 101 points in total.
He also picked up 274 points in 355 games in the QMJHL, the Quebec league, where he played for the likes of Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Drummondville Voltigeurs among others.
His prowess around the net and the crease will be something head coach Malcolm Cameron will look to utilise as he spoke of what Gauthier will bring to Clan in the forthcoming season.
“Guillaume is a sniper,” Cameron said. “He had a great career in the Quebec hockey league and was a point producer as well as at McGill University, which has one of the best university hockey clubs.
“He’s always been at the top of the scoring list with his teams and has worked with some really good coaches in his career.
“He will be a guy we’ll look to to put the puck in the net as well as be a good powerplay player and play on both sides. We’re happy to have a player of his talent for his first year in pro hockey.”
Gauthier is signing number 15 for the Clan in 2021/22 after Shane Starrett, Colin Campbell, Rodney Southam, Matt Haywood, Jordan McLaughlin, Mathieu Roy, Medric Mercier, Nolan LaPorte, Colton Yellow Horn, Jordan Buesa, Cody Sol, Mikko Vainonen, Jamie Crooks and Reece Cochrane.
He will wear the #24 jersey this season.
