Gauthier Represents Hockey’s New Pioneer Spirit

Gabe Gauthier was on skates when he was 4 and left home at 14 to hone his hockey skills. It’s a familiar path for Canadian kids, but there’s little typical about the Buena Park native’s journey to an NCAA hockey title a year ago and his return trip to the Frozen Four today in Columbus, Ohio.

The 21-year-old center played in Norwalk for seven years and for the South Coast Sabres for several seasons. He spent a year at a prep school in Massachusetts and three years playing junior hockey in Chilliwack, Canada, before enrolling at the University of Denver, where he has developed into a dominant player.

Gauthier led the Pioneers in scoring last season and scored the only goal in their championship game against Maine. This season, his team-high 23 goals and 52 points and his defensive diligence are key reasons the top-ranked Pioneers will face second-ranked Colorado College today for a berth in Saturday’s final.

“It feels great. It says a lot for how much this team has worked all year,” he said by phone from Denver. “You don’t get this chance very often.”

Gauthier, 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, hasn’t been drafted by an NHL team. His two younger brothers, who played hockey but drifted to other sports, are both 6-3.

“I have another year of eligibility left, so I’m really in no rush,” said Gauthier, whose parents live in Temecula. “I plan to get my college degree, because that creates more opportunities. I’ve had good mentors my whole life who have steered me the right way in hockey and school.”

Gauthier will face another California star today. Colorado College is led by Brett Sterling of Pasadena, who is among three finalists for the Hobey Baker award as the nation’s top college player. Minnesota and North Dakota will meet in today’s other semifinal.

“My whole life we’ve played against each other,” Gauthier said of Sterling. “I know him really well. It’s a great accomplishment, what he’s done. It shows a lot for California hockey. Back when we started, it wasn’t that good, but kids are becoming more competitive and more and more kids are coming out of the Sunbelt.”