Frederik Gauthier will join the Toronto Marlies for the playoff run on an ATO, meaning he’ll use the facilities and work with the Marlies development staff, as the Leafs like to do at year’s end with their eligible prospects. With centers Peter Holland, Trevor Smith, Greg McKegg, Sam Carrick and Jerred Smithson on the roster, it seems unlikely he will be thrust into his first AHL action during playoff time.
After 52 points in 54 games in the regular season, Gauthier added 3 goals and 9 points in 11 games in the playoffs. Nothing to shake a stick at, and he’s widely regarded as a ‘complete’ player for his age to go along with the size, but it’s a little underwhelming for a +1 season from a first-round prospect.
Here’s how his season stacked up against other CHL prospects in the same draft range:
| GP | G | A | Pts | PPG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emile Poirier | 63 | 43 | 44 | 87 | 1.4 |
| Hunter Shinkaruk | 18 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 0.9 |
| Morgan Klimchuk | 57 | 30 | 44 | 74 | 1.3 |
| Jason Dickinson | 68 | 26 | 52 | 78 | 1.2 |
| Kerby Rychel | 31 | 18 | 33 | 51 | 1.6 |
| Anthony Mantha | 57 | 57 | 63 | 120 | 2.1 |
| Ryan Hartman | 52 | 25 | 28 | 53 | 1.01 |
| Frederik Gauthier | 54 | 18 | 34 | 52 | 0.96 |
Meanwhile, Andreas Johnson, selected 181 picks later in the 7th round of the same draft, has been awarded rookie of the year honours in the Swedish Hockey League for his 15 goal, 24-point season with Frolunda. Winners of the award since 2000 include, as well some no names, Henrik Zetterberg (fellow 7th round pick.. *excited squeal*), Nicklas Backstrom, Louis Eriksson, Victor Hedman, Tobias Enstrom and Patrick Hornqvist.
Leafs prospect Andreas Johnson announced as SHL's Rookie of the Year. Beat Wennberg (CBJ), Fiala (2014), Nilsson (TOR) for it.
— Matias Strozyk (@MaStrozyk) April 20, 2014
Wennberg was drafted 188 picks earlier than Johnson, 14th overall to Columbus, in the same draft. Johnsson had three more points in six less games this season.
Some context for those SHL numbers:
Calle Jarnkrok 27 pts in 49 gms (.55 ppg), Andreas Johnson 24 pts in 44 gms (.54), Mika Zibanajed 13 pts in 26 gms (.50)…
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) April 21, 2014
…Alex Wennberg 21 pts in 50 gms (.42), Jacob De La Rose 13 pts in 49 gms (.26) & Sebastian Collberg 9 pts in 40 gms (.22).
— Hope_Smoke (@Hope_Smoke) April 21, 2014
Johnson also added three goals and three assists in 7 World Junior appearances for Sweden, garnering ample praise from Jimmy Hughes for his performances in Malmo. It seems Johnson will remain in the SEL for at least another season, but he’s certainly put himself on the radar with this draft+1 season.
He’s even got a last name Don Cherry could handle.
A few Monday links:
- Blackhawks vs. Blues Game 3 Preview – Best first round series by a mile.
- Official – All of Rielly, Kadri and Reimer are going to the World Championships for Team Canada. Gardiner for USA.
- How the Marlies schedule vs. the Admirals was decided.
- Wakey Wakey Backes T Shirts have been made. Yikes.
- The 2013-‘14 Leaf season upon reflection: perhaps the Leafs needed not only leadership, but better followers, too…
