Denis Gauthier

Denis Gauthier, Jr. (born October 1, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. A first round selection of the Calgary Flames at the 1995 NHL entry draft, Gauthier played for the Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings during his ten-season National Hockey League (NHL) career.

Playing career Gauthier played four seasons of major-junior hockey with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He holds the franchise record for most goals by a defenceman in one season, 25, and had his number 21 retired by the Voltigeurs in 2009.

Drafted by the Calgary Flames with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, he made his NHL debut in 1997. A physical, defensively oriented player, he was known for delivering open-ice body checks.

He played only the first round of the Flames' 2004 playoff run after suffering a knee injury in Game 6 against the Vancouver Canucks. He later underwent surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament on May 21.

In the 2004 off-season, he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in a deal also involving Daymond Langkow and Oleg Saprykin. During the 2006 trade deadline, Gauthier was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Josh Gratton and two second-round draft picks. Prior to the 2007–08 season, Gauthier was waived by the Flyers and was assigned to the Philadelphia Phantoms. He spent the entire season with the Phantoms, and following the season was waived again on June 30, 2008. The following day, he was traded along with a 2010 second-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings for Patrik Hersley and Ned Lukacevic.

On February 2, 2009, Gauthier was suspended for five games for a high elbow head shot to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges. On February 21, 2009, Gauthier was suspended for two games for boarding on an icing call to San Jose Sharks captain Patrick Marleau.

Awards QMJHL: Emile Bouchard Trophy, 1995–96 First Team All-Star, 1995–96

Canadian Hockey League First Team All-Star, 1995–96

IIHF World Junior Championship Gold medal, 1995–96

Personal life Gauthier's father, Denis Sr., was a professional wrestler, and his mother Joanne is the sister of former wrestlers Jacques, Armand and Raymond Rougeau. His nephew Julien Gauthier was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes. He is also the father of Ethan Gauthier who played for the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the QMJHL and got drafted 37th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1992–93 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 61 1 7 8 136 10 0 5 5 40 1993–94 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 60 0 7 7 176 9 2 0 2 41 1994–95 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 64 9 31 40 190 4 0 5 5 12 1995–96 Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL 53 25 49 74 140 6 4 4 8 32 1995–96 Saint John Flames AHL 5 2 0 2 8 16 1 6 7 20 1996–97 Saint John Flames AHL 73 3 28 31 74 5 0 0 0 6 1997–98 Calgary Flames NHL 10 0 0 0 16 — — — — — 1997–98 Saint John Flames AHL 68 4 20 24 154 21 0 4 4 83 1998–99 Calgary Flames NHL 55 3 4 7 68 — — — — — 1998–99 Saint John Flames AHL 16 0 3 3 31 — — — — — 1999–00 Calgary Flames NHL 39 1 1 2 50 — — — — — 2000–01 Calgary Flames NHL 62 2 6 8 78 — — — — — 2001–02 Calgary Flames NHL 66 5 8 13 91 — — — — — 2002–03 Calgary Flames NHL 72 1 11 12 99 — — — — — 2003–04 Calgary Flames NHL 80 1 15 16 113 6 0 1 1 4 2005–06 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 45 2 9 11 61 — — — — — 2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 17 0 0 0 37 6 0 1 1 19 2006–07 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 43 0 4 4 45 — — — — — 2007–08 Philadelphia Phantoms AHL 78 3 15 18 80 11 0 1 1 17 2008–09 Los Angeles Kings NHL 65 2 2 4 90 — — — — — AHL totals 240 12 66 78 347 53 1 11 12 126 NHL totals 554 17 60 77 748 12 0 2 2 23

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1996 Canada WJC 6 1 1 2 6 Junior totals 6 1 1 2 6