Julien Gauthier Bio
Julien Gauthier is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing roughly 225 pounds, he is a physical right-shot winger built for a power-forward role. Drafted 21st overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Gauthier has suited up for the Hurricanes, New York Rangers, and Ottawa Senators before arriving in the Islanders organization.
Born on October 15, 1997, in Pointe-aux-Trembles, Quebec, Gauthier grew up in a deeply athletic family with ties to both professional hockey and combat sports. He began his major-junior career with the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and turned professional in 2017. Across both the AHL and NHL, he has developed into a dependable depth forward known for his size, straight-line speed, and willingness to play in tough areas of the ice.
Early Life and Background
Julien Gauthier was born in Pointe-aux-Trembles, a borough in the east end of Montreal, Quebec, on October 15, 1997. He was raised in a family with a long tradition of athletic achievement and physical culture. His father and grandfather were both bodybuilders, and each one earned the title of “Mr. Canada” at some point in his career. That background helped shape Gauthier’s own commitment to strength and conditioning, traits that later became central to his identity as a power forward.
Hockey was always part of Gauthier’s upbringing as well. He is the nephew of former NHL defenseman Denis Gauthier, who played parts of seven NHL seasons in the league. Beyond hockey, his grandmother was a member of the famous Rougeau Family, a well-known name in professional wrestling. Growing up around athletes from several different sports gave Gauthier an early appreciation for discipline, training, and competition, and it set the stage for his own path toward organized hockey.
Path to Hockey
Gauthier joined the major-junior ranks in 2013 when the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the QMJHL selected him in the first round, sixth overall, at the 2013 QMJHL Entry Draft. He spent the next three-plus seasons developing with the Foreurs, gradually growing into one of the team’s most dangerous offensive forwards. By his fourth and final major-junior campaign in 2016–17, he had emerged as a proven scorer and leader.
His play at the junior level quickly drew NHL attention. On July 9, 2016, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Gauthier to a three-year, entry-level contract after selecting him 21st overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. That same winter, on January 6, 2017, Val-d’Or traded him to the contending Saint John Sea Dogs in exchange for future picks and Nathan Cyr-Trottier, giving him a chance to chase a QMJHL championship. He finished his junior career alongside future NHL teammates Thomas Chabot and Mathieu Joseph, gaining valuable experience in high-pressure playoff hockey before turning professional.
Julien Gauthier Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Gauthier began his professional career in the 2017–18 season with the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. He worked his way up the Carolina depth chart, refining his two-way game and adding strength to his already imposing 6-foot-4 frame. In parts of three AHL seasons with the Checkers, he established himself as a reliable scoring winger and earned his first NHL opportunities with the Hurricanes.
On February 18, 2020, Gauthier was traded by the Hurricanes to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Joey Keane, opening the next chapter of his NHL journey. At the time, he was still viewed primarily as a prospect, and the move gave him a fresh opportunity in a new organization.
New York Rangers Era (2020–2023)
Gauthier spent the end of the 2019–20 season, the full 2020–21 campaign, and the 2021–22 season with the Rangers organization, bouncing between the NHL roster and the AHL. The biggest moment of his early NHL career came on February 10, 2021, when he scored his first career NHL goal against the Boston Bruins. That milestone was the result of patient work at both the NHL and AHL levels as he adjusted to the speed and pace of professional hockey.
Heading into the 2022–23 season, Gauthier cleared waivers and was assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, New York’s AHL affiliate. He was recalled by the Rangers on October 26, 2022, and continued to compete for a steady NHL role. On February 19, 2023, the Rangers traded him, along with a conditional 2023 draft pick, to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for forward Tyler Motte, ending his time in New York.
Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders (2023–Present)
Gauthier made his Ottawa debut on February 20, 2023, lining up alongside Parker Kelly and Ridly Greig against the Boston Bruins. Five days later, on February 25, he scored his first goal for the Senators against goaltender Samuel Montembeault in a 5–2 win over the Montreal Canadiens. His time in Ottawa was brief, but he gave the Senators a physical, net-front presence during the stretch run of the 2022–23 season.
As a free agent following that stint, Gauthier signed a two-year, $1.575 million contract with the New York Islanders on July 5, 2023. He debuted for the Islanders on October 21 against the Buffalo Sabres and lit the lamp for the first time on December 2, scoring against Anthony Stolarz in a 4–3 win over the Florida Panthers. After 27 games with the Islanders, in which he recorded 4 goals and 11 points, Gauthier was placed on waivers on February 2, 2024, went unclaimed, and was assigned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, where he has continued to play a featured role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gauthier’s game is built around his size, reach, and willingness to attack the difficult areas of the ice. At 6-foot-4 and about 225 pounds, he is comfortable cycling the puck along the boards, winning battles in front of the net, and finishing plays from in close. He complements that physical presence with straight-line speed, allowing him to retrieve pucks and drive the middle of the rink. Coaches have leaned on him for his reliability in a bottom-six role, where his penalty killing, forechecking, and shot-blocking have all been valuable.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Gauthier’s career came on February 10, 2021, when he scored his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins while with the Rangers. Another major milestone arrived on the international stage at the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championships, where he scored the game-winning goal in both a 5–3 quarterfinal win over the Czech Republic and a 5–2 semifinal win over Sweden. Canada ultimately fell to the United States in the final, finishing with a silver medal.
Julien Gauthier Career Wins
Julien Gauthier’s professional resume is still being written, and his most notable individual wins have come in the form of milestone games and key postseason moments rather than championship titles. His biggest victories include his first NHL goal with the Rangers in 2021, his first goal as a Senator in 2023, and his first goal as an Islander in December 2023. He has also collected significant wins at the junior and international level, including clutch performances at the 2017 World Junior Championships that helped carry Canada to the gold-medal game.
QMJHL and International Highlights
In the QMJHL, Gauthier was part of contending teams in both Val-d’Or and Saint John, developing into a first-round NHL pick along the way. He was the only draft-eligible player invited to Canada’s selection camp for the 2016 World Junior Championships, and he returned to the tournament in 2017, where his two game-winning goals led Canada to the final. He finished that tournament with multiple goals and a silver medal, cementing his status as a clutch performer on the international stage.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his NHL milestones, Gauthier has produced consistent performances at the AHL level with the Charlotte Checkers, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Bridgeport Islanders, where he has been a regular contributor in all situations. His ability to move between the AHL and NHL while remaining productive has been one of the defining themes of his professional career.
Julien Gauthier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gauthier comes from an exceptionally athletic family. His uncle, Denis Gauthier, played in the NHL as a defenseman, giving Julien a direct connection to professional hockey from an early age. His father and grandfather were both accomplished bodybuilders who each earned the “Mr. Canada” title, instilling a strong work ethic and emphasis on physical fitness in the young forward.
Personal Life
On his mother’s side, Gauthier’s grandmother was a member of the famous Rougeau Family, a well-known name in Canadian professional wrestling. The combination of hockey, bodybuilding, and wrestling in his family tree has shaped his identity as a physical, hard-working athlete. He continues to focus on his professional hockey career with the Bridgeport Islanders and the New York Islanders organization.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Julien Gauthier is in the final year of his two-year, $1.575 million contract with the New York Islanders and remains a regular with the Bridgeport Islanders in the AHL. His role within the organization has been that of a depth forward who can step into the NHL lineup when needed while providing offense and physicality at the AHL level. Early in the year, he has continued to be a presence on the power play and penalty kill for Bridgeport.
Throughout the 2024–25 campaign, Gauthier has been focused on showing the consistency and two-way responsibility that NHL coaches look for in a bottom-six winger. His combination of size, skating, and net-front skill makes him a candidate for a midseason recall if the Islanders need additional forward depth. Coaches have praised his willingness to block shots, win board battles, and bring energy on the forecheck.
With his contract set to expire after the 2024–25 season, Gauthier has a clear opportunity to position himself for a new deal, whether back in the Islanders system or elsewhere in the league. A strong finish to 2025, both at the AHL level and in any NHL appearances, would help him secure his next contract and potentially reestablish himself as a full-time NHL contributor.