<p>When the United States announced its World Hockey Championship roster last spring, almost everyone wrote them off.</p>



<p>Ten players on the team had fewer than 20 games played. Only eight had breached the 100-game mark. Rocco Grimaldi, the team’s top scorer in the tournament, spent last year on an AHL contract. Yet, USA came within one goal of winning bronze. They let the kids run rampant in a year where the overall competition was a bit weaker than usual. </p>



<p>One of the group’s stars was Cutter Gauthier, a Philadelphia Flyers prospect playing against pros for the first time. But it didn’t look like it, with the 19-year-old scoring seven goals and nine points in 10 games. It was a wild run for the young forward, who many thought could turn pro for 2023-24. </p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="135"></div>



<p>“It was surreal,” Gauthier said about the tournament experience. When you get the opportunity to play and learn from lots of NHL players who have been in the league for many years, the league you’re striving to be in, it’s cool to take things away from their game.”</p>



<p>After putting up 37 points in 32 games as a college freshman, as well as helping USA win bronze at the world juniors, Gauthier had a season to remember. If he wanted to turn pro, he could have.</p>



<p>Instead, the fifth pick in 2022 elected to return to Boston College for a second season in an attempt to win the national title. It’s a team full of quality NHL prospects, and Gauthier has a chance to become one of college hockey’s most dominant scoring threats. And, dare we say it… the favorite to win the Hobey Baker? With Adam Fantilli, Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies – the three hat-trick finalists last year – off to the NHL, he definitely has a good chance at it.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="173"></div>



<p>Gauthier said he and the Flyers discussed the potential for Gauthier to turn pro midway through 2022-23. With the Flyers in a rebuild, Gauthier had a chance to play an integral role early. But in the end, it made more sense for the forward to return to school. </p>



<p>“it was in the back of my mind during the second half of the past year. But I committed to go back (to Boston College) and I’m a man of my word,” Gauthier said. “We’ve got a pretty solid group coming in, so I’m excited for it.”</p>



<p>It’ll also give Gauthier a chance to be a big contributor on USA’s world junior team. They’re the favorites to win gold, and if the World Junior Summer Showcase in Michigan earlier this month showed us anything, Gauthier will be a big part of that group. Gauthier should easily factor into the tournament’s top-scoring discussion, whether that’s playing down the middle or on the wing.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="161"></div>



<p>Gauthier had 10 points en route to bronze at the 2023 tournament as an 18-year-old. After some dominating performances in Plymouth this month, there’s no question he’ll be able to surpass that in Sweden this winter.</p>



<p>Gauthier skipped the Flyers’ development camp earlier this summer, with Gauthier citing his busy season as a reason. There wasn’t much for him to prove as the Flyers’ <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2023-24-nhl-prospect-pool-breakdown-philadelphia-flyers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">best North American-based prospect</a>, but he needed a break after playing deep into May.</p>



<p>But 2024-25? That’s when things get interesting. There’s no question he’ll be a full-time NHLer by then.</p>



<p>The Flyers will enter the coming season as one of the worst teams in the league. They’re destined for another high-end pick – perhaps a defenseman to join a forward-heavy pipeline. With a solid prospect crop, they’re a few years away from making a real splash. By then, Gauthier should be at full speed with a few solid campaigns under his belt. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="158"></div>



<p>This year, though, is all about winning. It starts with world junior gold, and ends with a national title, if all goes well. Then, we’ll likely see him skate in a few games to close out the season for the Flyers, giving the fanbase a taste of the future after what will likely be another difficult season. </p>



<p>A taste of hope they desperately need.</p>



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