HOCKEY. As Team Canada’s selection camp for the World Junior Hockey Championship approaches, Ethan Gauthier continues to play inspired hockey.
The Voltigeurs forward ended a short three-game drought Wednesday night at the Marcel-Dionne center by scoring the decisive goal in a 5-2 victory over the Drakkar. Author of 24 points, including 10 goals, in 18 games so far this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect, however, wants to avoid looking too far ahead.
“I know the opportunity is there, but I approach each match like a training camp,” explained the 19-year-old Drummondvillois after the game against the Drakkar. If I do the right things and have success here, I will improve my chances of receiving an invitation. It’s hard not to think about it, but I really try to keep my focus on the next game, on the next week. I’m taking it one day at a time. In each game, I want to demonstrate a facet of my game that I can bring to the Canadian team.
Forming a dangerous duo with Luke Woodworth, Ethan Gauthier threw flowers at his captain, who once again led the charge against the Drakkar. “He’s a special player! His vision of the game is one of the best in the league. He is an extremely intelligent player. He always manages to make the right play at the right time. He demonstrated it again this evening.
Completed by veteran Adam Cavallin, the Voltigeurs’ first trio continues to give their opponents a hard time.
“Adam was not used to playing in this role in Ontario, but he gained confidence in his abilities. He’s been acting out of control lately, said Ethan Gauthier. He is a tough forecheck player. He creates turnovers, he’s efficient around the net and he’s capable of making plays.”
“As a line, we communicate a lot together to try to build chemistry,” added number 79 of the Voltigeurs. We were less on the scoresheet recently, but we were doing good things. We knew it was a matter of time before things would break through.”
The Canadian team selection camp will be held from December 10 to 14 in Ottawa. The World Junior Hockey Championship will get underway the day after Christmas in the nation’s capital.
Also read: A little revenge for the Voltigeurs
