Apr 28, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (61) takes a shot against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Apr 28, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN;Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (61) takes a shot against the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Anaheim Ducks’ left wing Cutter Gauthier put together a season to remember, reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. But the 22-year-old was in pain while playing for the last month or so, coinciding with the entire postseason.
Gauthier revealed in his exit interview that he had broken both the L1 and L2 vertebrae on March 30 of this year after scoring a goal during a 5-4 defeat against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Honda Center.
He returned in two weeks against the Vancouver Canucks on April 12, scoring twice in a 3-4 home defeat for Anaheim.
Per PHWA-certified Derek Lee on X via Gino Hard, Gauthier didn’t miss any games for the Ducks in the regular season. He ended up scoring 12 points (4G /8A) in 12 games in the playoffs, to help Anaheim reach the second round before their ultimate exit at the hands of the Vegas Golden Knights in six games.
His four goals and three assists for seven points were crucial for the Ducks to get the better of the Edmonton Oilers in six games in the first round of the playoffs last month.
Notably, in the 2025-26 regular season, Gauthier played 76 games despite the injury, putting together his best numbers yet in the NHL. He got 69 points for the Ducks, including 41 goals and 28 assists, to become one of their best players during the campaign.
In his first full season with the Ducks, 2024-25, he accumulated 44 points (20G /24A) after joining the Ducks a season prior, to secure a spot on the NHL ALL-Rookie Team.
Cutter Gauthier joined the Anaheim Ducks in a trade from the Philadelphia Flyers in 2024
Cutter Gauthier arrived at the Anaheim Ducks towards the end of the 2023-24 season in a trade deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft.
He was initially drafted by the Flyers in 2022 as the fifth overall pick before refusing to sign with them because his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, were their arch-rivals.
On his NHL debut with the Ducks, Gauthier provided an assist against the Vegas Golden Knights in a 4-1 victory at the T-Mobile Arena on April 18, 2024.
Before the start of his career in the NHL with the Ducks, he was an integral part of Boston College’s team for two seasons. Gauthier played 32 games in his freshman season for the Eagles, scoring 37 points (16G /21A) to make the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2023.
The performances next season improved further for him at the Boston Eagles, accumulating 65 points (38G /27A) in 41 games to make the NCAA (East) First All-American and Hockey East First All-Star Teams in 2024.
While competing for the United States, Gauthier won back-to-back gold medals at the World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025.
Do you see Cutter Gauthier maintaining the consistency in his ice hockey career next season in the NHL? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Arjun Sharma
Edited by
Surjo Ray