Nathan Gaucher

Nathan Gaucher (born November 6, 2003) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 22nd overall by the Ducks in the 2022 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Gaucher played with Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QMAAA) before he was selected 8th overall in the 2019 QMJHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Remparts.

In his draft-eligible season with the Remparts in 2021–22, Gaucher was awarded the Michael Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL's Best Professional Prospect after scoring 31 goals and 26 assists for 57 points in 66 games. Ranked a mid-first round draft selection leading into the 2022 NHL entry draft by NHL Central Scouting Bureau, Gaucher was selected 22nd overall by the Anaheim Ducks on July 7, 2022. Later that month, Gaucher was signed to his first NHL contract by the Ducks agreeing to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 29, 2022.

Gaucher appeared in only 44 games for the Remparts in the 2022–23 season, but distinguished himself as a defensive forward with 22 goals and 24 assists, a 59.4% success rate at face-offs, and a plus–minus rating of +35, one of the best in the league. After the season, he was awarded the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as the league's best defensive forward. The Remparts finished first in the regular season, earning the Jean Rougeau Trophy. As QMJHL champions, the Remparts were the league's representatives at the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, playing against the host Blazers, the Peterborough Petes, and the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Gaucher made his NHL debut on April 1, 2026, against the San Jose Sharks.

International play

Gaucher was named to Team Canada for the COVID-delayed 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning gold.

On December 12, 2022, Gaucher was named to Team Canada to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament, he recorded one goal and three assists in seven games and won a gold medal.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2018–19 Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois QMAAA 42 18 15 33 48 6 4 2 6 4 2019–20 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 59 13 11 24 24 — — — — — 2020–21 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 30 14 17 31 22 6 1 3 4 4 2021–22 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 66 31 26 57 74 12 3 6 9 12 2022–23 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 44 22 24 46 67 18 7 9 16 20 2023–24 San Diego Gulls AHL 72 10 15 25 68 — — — — — 2024–25 San Diego Gulls AHL 56 8 11 19 79 — — — — — 2025–26 San Diego Gulls AHL 62 15 14 29 47 2 0 0 0 4 2025–26 Anaheim Ducks NHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — NHL totals 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2019 Canada Red U17 5th 5 2 3 5 16 2022 Canada WJC 7 1 1 2 4 2023 Canada WJC 7 1 3 4 10 Junior totals 19 4 7 11 30

Awards and honours Award YearCHL Memorial Cup champion 2023 QMJHL Michael Bossy Trophy 2022 Guy Carbonneau Trophy 2023 Gilles-Courteau Trophy champion 2023