Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier named to NHL All-Rookie Team

ANAHEIM, Calif. — A stellar opening professional campaign earned an exalting final punctuation for Cutter Gauthier, as the 21-year-old was named to the 2024-25 NHL All-Rookie Team on Thursday.

Gauthier is the fourth Anaheim Ducks forward in franchise history to make the team, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Trevor Zegras, Bobby Ryan and Paul Kariya each earned honors in their rookie seasons.

Gauthier also finished fifth in the voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie on Tuesday.

The former Boston College Eagle netted 20 goals with 24 assists playing in all 82 games of his first professional season, only one of two rookies to play in every game this season along with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson of Montreal. Gauthier was the league’s rookie co-leader in even strength goals and was third among rookies in total goals.

It took Gauthier, who led the NCAA in goals in his final season at Boston College, 15 games to net his first NHL goal, but the Swedish-born American was scalding down the stretch after reuniting with Swedish centerman Leo Carlsson. Gauthier scored eight goals with four assists over the final 16 games, including five goals in a three-game stretch.

Gauthier followed up his scalding hot finish to the season by helping Team USA to its first IIHF World Championship gold in 92 years. Gauthier potted five goals with four assists in 10 tournament games.

Gauthier received six fourth-place votes and 74 fifth-place votes for the Calder Trophy. Eventual winner Hutson, San Jose forward Macklin Celebrini and Calgary goalie Dustin Wolf were finalists.

Ducks rookie defenseman Drew Helleson received one fifth-place vote for the Calder Trophy.

Hutson, Celebrini and Wolf joined Gauthier on the All-Rookie Team along with Philadelphia forward Matvei Michkov and Columbus defenseman Denton Mateychuk.

Helleson finished third among rookie defenseman in All-Rookie Team voting with the top two vote-getters being named to the honored squad. Helleson was 24 votes behind Mateychuk.