Anaheim selected Gaucher in the first round (No. 22) of the 2022 NHL Draft on July 7, and signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract July 28.
Gaucher impressed the Ducks with the way he combines his size (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) with his willingness and determination to win pucks in the most physical areas on the ice, particularly the corners.
"I love going into there," Gaucher said. "I have the shape, I have the physique for that, I have the compete level, so I know I'm going to bring the puck out. ... The thing is, in the NHL it's another level so you have to get used to it, but I think I'll be there soon."
Ducks coach Dallas Eakins got his first up-close view of Gaucher during development camp, which was held July 12-16. He said he came away impressed.
"He's already got man strength," Eakins said. "He's a big, strong kid. He's very, very competitive out there."
The Ducks have lost a large swath of their size and toughness since last season.
Ryan Getzlaf
(6-4, 220), the Ducks' No. 1 center and captain, retired after 17 NHL seasons.
Defenseman Josh Manson (6-3, 218) and forward Nicolas Deslauriers (6-1, 220) each were traded before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline on March 21.
Anaheim also traded defenseman Hampus Lindholm (6-4, 213) to the Boston Bruins ahead of the trade deadline. Part of the return was the Bruins' first-round pick in the 2022 draft, which the Ducks used to select Gaucher.
Gaucher spent the past two seasons growing into his frame and honing his skills with Quebec of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, where he played for coach Patrick Roy, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Hockey Hall of Fame member.
"He's always talking to me about that first pro camp, making a good first impression, just improving," Gaucher said. "Just go in with that mindset that you're going to work and improve and be that guy one day."
Last season, his third with Quebec, Gaucher had 57 points (31 goals, 26 assists) in 66 regular-season games and nine points (three goals, six assists) in 12 QMJHL playoff games, but hopes to polish his offensive skills even further.
"Just this year, I've really improved my shot," he said.
Eakins said every team needs players like Gaucher if they hope to go deep in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"When it comes to winning hockey games, some of those high-skilled plays have very little to do with winning," Eakins said. "Eighty-five percent of our games are played within five feet of the boards, and those guys that are big and strong and, more importantly, hungry and compete hard, those types of players will win you hockey games."
