Nathan Gaucher

October 2021 – With a late 2003 birthday, Gaucher is one of the older players in the 2022 draft class and is already playing in his third QMJHL season. He tallied 24 points in 59 games as a rookie and led the Remparts in scoring during the abbreviated 2020-21 season, finishing with 14 goals and 17 assists in just 30 games.

Gaucher is a big-bodied forward who does most of his damage from in and around the blue paint. He combines good instincts with quick hands around the net and uses his large frame to establish body position to box out opposing defenders. He cleans up more than his fair share of rebound opportunities but he also has the ability to score from the outside with a heavy and quick release. In addition to his versatility as a goal scorer, Gaucher also distributes the puck well in the offensive zone. When given time around the net, he has the ability to find seams and hit teammates with crisp passes in dangerous areas. He also has a tendency to draw traffic toward him before dishing to a teammate in the vacated space. Gaucher has good straight-line speed when he gets going but isn’t the most agile skater in the draft class and isn’t likely to be a primary driver in transition. He does, however, play a strong give-and-go game off the rush which helps him separate from defenders and get the puck in open space. Unlike most players at this point in their development, Gaucher already possesses great size and strength. The key for him will be improving his body control while learning how to utilize his size and strength more effectively as he progresses. Gaucher competes hard through traffic and along the boards but doesn’t come away with as many contested pucks as you would like for a player with his physical tools. He isn’t the flashiest player and his skillset doesn’t always jump out at you, but he is a reliable player with some intriguing offensive instincts. There are more talented players in the class but Gaucher’s combination of size and scoring prowess could see him earn a selection in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. Nick Richard