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BRANDON, Fla. — As he was preparing for the first day on ice at Tampa Bay Lightning development camp in July, forward Ethan Gauthier got to watch a few minutes of an informal workout of NHL players, including Lightning forwards Nikita Kucherov and Nicholas Paul.

The 19-year-old wanted to thoroughly absorb this learning experience.

“Gauthier, who was selected by Tampa Bay in the second round (No. 37) of the 2023 NHL Draft, said, “I was just taking it all in. That’s my desired destination. I aspire to be where they are in a few years.”

Looking at individuals like Kucherov, who led the League in scoring, it’s inspiring to see him still working hard in July, focusing on refining small details. This embodies the essence of being a professional. It’s quite motivating and makes me eager to start working.

Gauthier still requires at least one more year before he turns professional. During his third season with Drummondville in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, he was joint top scorer for the team with 71 points (36 goals, 35 assists) in 64 games. He was also the team’s leading scorer in the playoffs with 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 19 games, significantly contributing to Drummondville’s QMJHL championship victory.

This season, he will be back in Drummondville with the hope of building upon his personal and team accomplishments from 2023-24.

“This year went really well for me; I noticed significant improvements in my speed, strength, and overall gameplay,” expressed Gauthier. “That was truly satisfying. The highlight for me was our impressive playoff run and thriving under the pressure where we all had to step up and do what it took to secure a win.”

Gauthier’s game is centered on his skill and ability near the net, but standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, he recognizes the need for grit to excel in the higher levels of the game. J.P. Cote, Lightning’s director of player development, stressed the importance of continuously challenging Gauthier and other players who have attended various development camps.

“Cote said, “After conducting the fitness tests and drills, our aim is to equip them with new techniques they can apply when they return to junior level play. Every interaction we have with them is an opportunity to enhance their skills… every detail accumulates over time, developing them into better players. Even the slightest improvement matters, and ultimately, we hope to see a one percent, two percent, three percent, even fifty percent improvement from their initial skill level. That’s our ultimate objective.”

Gauthier is on a quest for that extra percent — the additional advantage that can distinguish him from the crowd.

“Here, you acquire a lot of knowledge,” stated Gauthier. “I’ve grown into a more mature individual both on the rink and in my personal life compared to a year ago. Now, I need to keep growing and follow the process to become the player I aspire to be.”