BUFFALO | In one other period, Denis Gauthier shared the identical dressing room as Daniel Brière with the Voltigeurs de Drummondville. Gauthier was a defender who hit like a transfer and Brière was choosing up factors at a breakneck tempo.
• Additionally learn: Scores camp of NHL hopes: Mathieu Cataford follows in Patrice Bergeron’s footsteps
A couple of years later, Brière met one other Gauthier. However in a special context. In his position as common supervisor of the Philadelphia Flyers, he interviewed Ethan Gauthier, his former teammate’s son.
“I believed it was humorous as a result of I watched him develop up,” Brière mentioned in an interview with the Journal in a flowery Buffalo resort foyer the place pre-NHL draft analysis camp (combines) is held. Ethan was just a bit boy once I performed together with his father in Philadelphia.
Probability did all the things properly. Ethan carried out his first interview on the Flyers desk.
“It was actually skilled to start with,” he mentioned. I walked into the room and shook palms with everybody. I greeted Daniel and noticed that he had a small smile. However he remained critical. Once I completed thanking everybody, he checked out me and pulled out the nickname he used for me once I was little. I don’t assume we are able to write the nickname in Le Journal however I believed it was very humorous. He mentioned to me, “Hi there Streaker (Exhibitionist)!”
“It was just a bit joke, however I favored it. I met Daniel once I was younger. I used to be only a child. My dad additionally performed for the Flyers. So I used to be very happy to open my interviews with Philadelphia. I knew earlier than the draft that I’d speak to the Flyers first. Sean Couturier had instructed me about it throughout a exercise on the gymnasium. He got here again from Philadelphia and had discovered that I used to be the primary identify on the interview listing.
Brière had a giant smile after we instructed him the anecdote about this nickname.
“Once I speak concerning the Flitzer (exhibitionist), my children know precisely who I’m speaking about,” he recalled. They don’t know that Ethan will probably be drafted within the first spherical of the NHL, however they do know that he’s Denis’ toddler who ran across the yard bare once they have been enjoying with the Gauthiers!
A number of interviews
There aren’t any data of most pre-draft interviews. However Ethan Gauthier, the sixteenth most lovely contestant in North America, has already had an excellent tour.
Photograph courtesy of Sherbrooke Phoenix
“I’ve already met 12 groups in two days and I’ve to see 28 of them,” mentioned Gauthier. I feel there is just one prospect who has to interview greater than me.”
After the Flyers, Gauthier spoke to the leaders of the Montreal Canadiens. Traditionally, CH have at all times had a fame as a crew that asks the hopefuls troublesome and typically unusual questions.
“Yeah, they’re destabilizing,” admitted the Sherbrooke Phoenix winger. They requested the basic query of what animal can I evaluate myself to. Then they instructed me I used to be a bastard participant and kicked brutally. They instructed me they noticed me play. However they needed to see my reactions. At the moment I remained a bit of frozen. I did properly.”
For the animal, Gauthier selected a Ratel, higher generally known as the Honey Badger.
“It’s an animal that isn’t afraid of something, it assaults a lot bigger species, even when they’re very small,” he defined. I drew a parallel to myself. There are groups who may assume that due to my dimension I gained’t have the ability to play the identical sturdy sport within the professionals. However I used to be by no means afraid of something.”
Aim: first spherical
Ethan would like to observe in his father’s footsteps and turn out to be a first-round choose as properly. CH, who maintain the choose of the Florida Panthers (thirty first or thirty second), may turn out to be a doable goal.
“I’d prefer to exit earlier than the tip of the primary spherical and the Canadian’s second choose,” he replied. I wish to know my destiny as quickly as doable. Nevertheless, I’d be very joyful to land in Montreal. Since coming again to Quebec, I’ve grown up watching the Canadian.
In 1995, Denis Gauthier was a first-round choose (twentieth) by the Calgary Flames. A yr later, the Phoenix Coyotes additionally wager on Brière (twenty fourth) within the first spherical.
“Ethan has a very good probability of discovering out his destiny within the first spherical,” predicted Brière. We like him rather a lot as a younger striker.”
Huge brother affect
Hockey stays a household affair for the Gauthiers. Ethan and his older brother Kaylen have performed for Sherbrooke Phoenix for the previous two seasons.
Photograph courtesy of Sherbrooke Phoenix, Vincent L-Rousseau
Ethan, a 5’11, 75kg winger, has 69 factors (30 objectives, 39 assists) in 66 video games this season at Sherbrooke. His eyes shine much more when he describes the connection to his massive brother.
“It’s largely because of my brother that I’m right here as we speak,” he mentioned. He had a say in my improvement and my profession. If I’m fished out, he may also name himself fulfilled. I can’t wait to hug him as quickly as I hear my identify in Nashville. »
“My brother was the most important affect on my profession,” he continued. Kaylen had introduced me again to earth simply earlier than my freshman yr at Bantam Stage. I at all times had it straightforward once I was younger. I may solely depend on my expertise. I noticed that it wasn’t simply the expertise and I didn’t at all times have one of the best self-discipline. My brother was the alternative of me. He labored onerous to search out his approach. We thought he wouldn’t play within the QMJHL and he ended up captaining the Sherbrooke Phoenix. »