by Christopher Nardella, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

MONTREAL, QC. — As has been seen with the debate surrounding the Canadiens potential selection of Pierre-Luc Dubois or Matthew Tkachuk, the background of a player can determine their fate with the organization. With the draft rolling around quickly, the discussion of the Canadiens ninth overall pick has included Val d’Or Foreurs winger Julien Gauthier.

Julien Gauthier, RW, Val-d’Or (QMJHL)
Oct. 15, 1997 | Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec, Canada
6-4, 225 lbs. | Shoots R | @ju_gauth12
2015-’16: 54 GP, 41 G, 16 A, 57 PTS (Val-d’Or Foreurs)

CSB: No. 12  | ISS: No. 21 | THN: No. 15 | HP: No. 25 | FC: No. 10

Gauthier posted incredible numbers in the QMJHL this season, finding the back of the net 41 times while adding 16 assists. He was tied for fifth in league goal scoring despite playing nine fewer games than Nicolas Roy, who led the league with 48 tallys.

Gauthier missed five games as part of Team Canada at the World Junior Championship where he recorded two assists. Despite the low production, he made a notable difference when on the ice, in my opinion. He spent time on three different lines during his time in the WJC, failing to score with each different trio.

The Foreurs selected the bestial winger with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 Bantam draft. He went on to record eight goals and 29 points in 62 games in his rookie season. Gauthier is also the nephew of former NHL’er and current RDS analyst Denis Gauthier.

Julien Gauthier possesses one of the most dangerous shot in this draft class outside of the top-three. He can find twine from any area of the ice, genuinely terrify any opposing net-minder. His pro-level shot is a perfect amalgam of heaviness with a quick, smooth release, even from tight areas.

One negative caveat to his strong shot is a tendency to to drag out his release by winding up his wrister giving the goaltender more time to prepare. However, the quality of his shot often supersedes the extra seconds of reaction time given to the goalie.

Gauthier has a great release from in tight and from either corner of the offensive zone. Being stationed in front of the net, Gauthier often has to capitalize on opportunities and does so with proficiency. The former sixth overall pick uses his wrist and snap shots with the most regularity, however his slap shot is heavy and has pin-point accuracy. His aim is equally good from the rush and from a stationary position.

His height isn’t a detriment to his elite skating ability. The Pointe-aux-Trembles native has a fluid stride and is very quick getting to maximum speed with the puck on his stick within a couple of strides. He’s solid on his edges but not in the same elite class as Clayton Keller or Tyson Jost.

Gauthier’s frame helps with phenomenal puck protection but is just one attribute. His size also helps his stick handling, as his massive wingspan allows him to pull pucks from one side to the other fooling the opposition. Once he establishes body positioning, Gauthier likes to peel to shed an adversary or drive the net. When parked in front of the net, he can corral pucks and use his reach to find an empty cage.

Gauthier loves to break out of his zone with speed at the risk of the occasional turnover or putting himself out of position. He often lurks behind the defence in the neutral zone waiting for a long stretch pass from his defenceman helping to open up spots for his teammates by  stretching opposing defences. The 17-year old likes to gain possession in his half of the ice, generating speed to facilitate a controlled zone entry.

https://twitter.com/HC_Men/status/675356473698848768

When Gauthier left for the World Junior camp, Val d’Or lost a key part of their powerplay, his net-front presence with phenomenal talent in close. Gauthier stations himself in-front of the net each time the Foreurs penetrate the offensive zone with the man advantage. It appears that he doesn’t move from his spot for the entirety of his shift.

The only exception is when the puck is in the corner which usually leads to Gauthier retrieving the disc, turning to fire a one-timer from either side. The power-forward is often fed the puck pivoting  to find openings (and the scoresheet) using his reach and release.

Need to catch up on potential draftees? You will find the All Habs draft archive here or use the quick links below to check out our most recent articles on the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

2016 NHL Entry Draft on All Habs Hockey Magazine
In case you missed them! Here are the most recent articles on the draft.
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