Daniel Audette

Daniel Audette (born May 6, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for Rytíři Kladno in the Czech Extraliga. He was selected in the fifth round, 147th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Junior Following a stellar season with Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QMAAA), Audette was selected first overall in the 2012 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft by the Sherbrooke Phoenix. During his four seasons with the team, he amassed 237 points, setting the franchise record for most goals, assists, and points.

Audette was subsequently selected in the fifth round (147th overall) by the Montreal Canadiens at the 2014 NHL entry draft. When he signed his entry-level contract, Audette became the first Phoenix draftee to sign a professional contract in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Professional During the 2018–19 season, Audette played on multiple lines throughout the lineup for the Laval Rocket, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Canadiens. In the final year of his contract, he played first-line centre, left wing, and third-line centre throughout the season. At the end of the season, the Canadiens opted not to offer him a new contract. Audette eventually signed a minor league deal with the Springfield Thunderbirds on September 13, 2019.

Having competed in five seasons in the AHL, Audette opted to pause his North American career and sign his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Finnish Liiga club, Lukko, on May 28, 2020. In his debut European season, Audette enjoyed a standout 2020–21 campaign, recording a professional best with 37 assists and 50 points in 60 regular season games. He continued with four helpers in 11 postseason games to help Lukko claim their first Finnish championship.

As a free agent from Lukko, Audette continued his career abroad in agreeing to a one-year contract with Russian based club, HC Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), on June 1, 2021. Despite this, Audette would leave HC Vityaz midway through the 2021–22 KHL season, signing with Örebro HK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for the remainder of the 2021–22 SHL season on February 15, 2022.

In August 2022, Audette signed a two-year deal with Lausanne HC of the Switzerland-based National League (NL). However, following the 2022–23 season, both parties mutually agreed to part ways on June 16, 2024. Audette (along with former AHL teammate Éric Gélinas) then joined HC Ajoie for the 2023–24 season.

On June 12, 2024, Audette signed with EHC Kloten for the 2024–25 season.

International play Following his rookie QMJHL season in 2012–13, Audette competed in the annual Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, winning gold with Team Canada. He was likewise a part of the bronze medalist Canadian team at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championship.

Personal life Audette's father, Donald, is a former professional ice hockey winger who played a total of fourteen NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2010–11 Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix QMAAA 4 0 0 0 6 2 0 0 0 0 2011–12 Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix QMAAA 39 25 35 60 57 13 7 16 23 20 2012–13 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 54 10 19 29 65 4 0 2 2 6 2013–14 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 68 21 55 76 79 — — — — — 2014–15 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 60 29 44 73 64 6 2 4 6 0 2015–16 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 52 22 37 59 53 5 1 5 6 2 2015–16 St. John's IceCaps AHL 4 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2016–17 St. John's IceCaps AHL 75 10 20 30 37 4 0 1 1 0 2017–18 Laval Rocket AHL 56 13 16 29 55 — — — — — 2018–19 Laval Rocket AHL 71 14 25 39 53 — — — — — 2019–20 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 58 13 25 38 37 — — — — — 2020–21 Lukko Liiga 60 13 37 50 34 11 0 4 4 0 2021–22 HC Vityaz KHL 45 17 22 39 8 — — — — — 2021–22 Örebro HK SHL 11 2 4 6 4 7 0 3 3 0 2022–23 Lausanne HC NL 42 10 11 21 12 — — — — — 2023–24 HC Ajoie NL 51 13 25 38 8 — — — — — AHL totals 264 50 86 136 182 4 0 1 1 0 Liiga totals 60 13 37 50 34 11 0 4 4 0KHL totals 45 17 22 39 8 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2012 Canada Quebec U17 6th 5 0 1 1 0 2013 Canada Quebec U17 4th 5 1 2 3 4 2013 Canada IH18 5 1 2 3 2 2014 Canada U18 7 2 1 3 14 Junior totals 22 4 6 10 20

Awards and honours Award Year Ref QMAAA Champions (Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix) 2012 First All-Star Team 2012 Top Prospect Award 2012 Liiga Champions (Lukko) 2021