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. At the conclusion of 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.

Gaucher managed 7 goals and 9 assists in 18 playoff games as the Remparts advanced to the QMJHL Finals and won the Gilles-Courteau Trophy, the franchise's first league championship in 47 years. 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. The Remparts ultimately defeated the Thunderbirds in the Memorial Cup final, taking the championship for the third time in team history.

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.