Mighty Ducks to Interview the Nordiques’ Gauthier

Pierre Gauthier, director of scouting for the Quebec Nordiques, is scheduled to interview for the Anaheim NHL expansion team’s general manager job Friday, an NHL source said.

An operator at a Southland hotel confirmed that Gauthier is scheduled to check in today under a Disney reservation.

Gauthier, 39, has been Quebec’s scouting director for the last five of his 12 years with the organization, and NHL executives regard him as a bright young talent. He and Bob McCammon, 51, former Vancouver Canuck and Philadelphia Flyer coach and onetime Flyer general manager, are among perhaps as many as six candidates being interviewed.

Jack Ferreira, former general manager of the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota North Stars, met with Disney officials in recent months, before it was determined that the Mighty Ducks would begin play in October. He still is considered a contender for the general manager’s job. It could not be determined Wednesday whether Ferreira is meeting with team officials again.

Team president Tony Tavares has said hiring a general manager is his No. 1 priority, with June’s expansion and entry drafts drawing closer. Tavares said March 1 that he hoped to hire a general manager within two weeks.

One earlier candidate for the position, former Chicago Blackhawk general manager and Coach Mike Keenan, said he met with Disney officials before the team confirmed it would play in 1993, but he is no longer in contact with them. Keenan has since made a commitment through May to coach Team Canada in the World Championships, and is hoping to secure an NHL position afterward.