Gauthier Signs With Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have signed Saint John Sea Dogs forward Danick Gauthier to a three-year contract. Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman made the announcement. Gauthier will remain with the Sea Dogs for the rest of the season.

Gauthier is having an incredible season having scored 41 goals and 31 assists in 59 games this season. He sits second in the league in goals scored and third in game-winning goals with seven. The 20-year old registered just 11 goals and 19 assists in 65 games last year.

His unreal point totals have been a big reason for Saint John’s success this year with so many key forwards missing at times. Who knows where the Sea Dogs would be in the standings if Gauthier hadn’t stepped up his game.

Gauthier attended Phoenix Coyotes rookie camp this past Fall as a free agent but never signed.

The signing means that Saint John’s entire top-six is NHL affiliated. The only member of their top-nine not drafted or signed is Maxime Villemaire.