The NHL announced on Thursday that Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier was named to the 2024-25 All-Rookie Team, voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Other Ducks to receive the honor include Paul Kariya in 1994-95, Bobby Ryan in 2008-09, and Trevor Zegras in 2021-22.
Gauthier got off to a slow start to his rookie campaign after making his NHL debut in the final game of the 2023-24 season, where he notched his first assist. He failed to find the scoresheet in his first five games of the 2024-25 season and was unable to find the back of the net in his first 15 games.
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During the first half of the season, he received inconsistent deployment throughout the lineup at 5v5 and was slowly demoted down the power play depth chart. As the season progressed, the NHL game slowed down for him as he began to grasp and comprehend how to leverage his attributes so they’d translate to the NHL style, following a remarkably successful two seasons playing for Boston College in the NCAA.
Gauthier has a unique blend of size, speed, and world-class release, skills that have a high likelihood of affording him a long, successful career in the NHL. His scanning skills improved as the season wore on, and he was more proactive when on the forecheck as well as when seeking out soft ice when his team had possession, both on the rush and cycle.
Following the NHL 4 Nations break, Gauthier finished the season with 22 points in his final 28 games and a total of 44 points (20-24=44) while playing in all 82 regular season games in his rookie year. He finished the season fifth among rookies in points, third in goals, and sixth in assists.
Joining Gauthier on the All-Rookie team are San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov, Montreal Canadiens defenseman and Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk, and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf.
Hutson ran away with the Calder Trophy as Gauthier finished fifth in voting with six fourth-place votes and 74 fifth-place votes.
Following the conclusion of his 2024-25 season, Gauthier joined the United States national team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship alongside Ducks teammate Jackson LaCombe. Gauthier scored nine points (5-4=9) in ten games, helping the US win their first gold medal at the tournament in 92 years.
Gauthier is one of six young, potential core pieces on the Ducks roster (LaCombe, Zegras, Leo Carlsson, Pavel Mintyukov, Olen Zellweger) who will become restricted free agents after the 2025-26 season and who will be eligible to sign contract extensions on July 1, 2025.
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