As both forwards were retained in professional hockey — Left-handed in San Diego in the American League and Bolduc in St. Louis in the National League — when the ring ceremony was held on March 11, they had their moment in relative privacy on Wednesday.
“We were very jealous when we saw the photos of the guys with their rings, but we are very happy now,” smiled Zachary Bolduc. They are super well made, the little details are magnificent.”
“It brings back good memories.”
— Zachary Bolduc
A good first season
Zachary Bolduc and Nathan Gaucher were in a good mood on Wednesday! (Jocelyn Riendeau/Le Soleil)
The Trifluvian, who will train all summer at the Gym Le Chalet of the physical trainer, Gabriel Hardy, is happy with his first season spent among the professionals, the majority of which was spent with the Sprinfield Thunderbirds, in the American League .
“For a first season, it went well,” summarizes Bolduc. I was privileged because I had good teammates and good coaches with whom I made videos regularly. Plus, I had the chance to play 25 games in the National League at the end of the season. I’m really looking forward to next year!”
Forward Zachary Bolduc has scored his first five NHL goals in 2023-24. (Jocelyn Riendeau/Le Soleil)
This “taste” in the NHL was successful since the former Red Devils sniper hit the target five times between February 22 and April 17, as many as young sensation Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks!
“I had the opportunity to play on the first line and I think I did well,” said Zachary Bolduc. I’m going to improve, I’m going to get even stronger physically, but I think I’ve shown that I can score goals at the next level. It’s going to be up to me to be even better next year.”
A nice “progress”
In San Diego, the adaptation to the American League was a little more “difficult” at first for Nathan Gaucher, but he is proud of the way he was able to finish the season.
“It’s still difficult to make the jump from junior to professional,” recalls the power forward. You have to refocus on yourself and if you don’t work hard and deliver results, another player will quickly take your place. I started slowly, but there was a nice progression in my game.”
Nathan Gaucher has 25 points in 72 games this season in San Diego. (Jocelyn Riendeau/Le Soleil)
It’s impossible not to touch on the question of last year’s Memorial Cup tournament, in which his teammates, Olen Zellweger (Kamloops) and Nico Myatovic (Seattle), were on the opposing side. “It’s easier to talk about it when you’re on the winning side!” smiles Gaucher.
“It was a very good tournament and everyone recognized that we had a very good team.”
— Nathan Gaucher
Ranked behind Drummondville
The two former Remparts make no secret of it, they are ranked behind the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the current series in the QMJHL. The two men were also in Centre-du-Québec on Saturday evening to encourage their former teammates, Mikael Huchette, Kassim Gaudet and Vsevolod Komarov.
Vsevolod Komarov of the Voltigeurs. (Vincent Lévesque Rousseau, Phoenix of Sherbrooke)
Bolduc will once again be an attentive spectator of the series between the Voltigeurs and the Tigres this Wednesday in Victoriaville. “They did that well! he said while analyzing the trio’s performance on Saturday. All three guys played a great game.”
“They knew we were there so they perform !” joked Nathan Gaucher.
“They have a great team and we wish them to win,” concluded Bolduc.
