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WHL Prince George Cougars

Cougars Select Goaltender Taylor Gauthier 9th Overall

May 5, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


Prince George, B.C. - With the ninth overall selection in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft the Prince George Cougars have selected goaltender Taylor Gauthier (Calgary, AB).

Gauthier, an Alberta Cup champion, was named the Top Goaltender of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (South) in each of the past two seasons. His record this season was 15-1-3 with a .948 save percentage, a 1.22 goals-against-average and seven shutouts. In nine playoff games he went 6-3 with a .933 save percentage and a 1.64 goals-against-average. During his first bantam season in 2014-15, he compiled a record of 16-0-1 with a .950 save percentage, a 1.21 goals-against-average and five shutouts. He checks in at 6'0", 172 pounds and catches with his right hand.

"Taylor Gauthier is the best goaltender in this draft and one of the best goaltending prospects that I have seen," said Prince George Cougars General Manager, Todd Harkins. "He's big, athletic, moves well and his compete level is off the charts. He's determined to one day be an NHL goaltender and that is the exact type of mindset and intensity that our organization covets."

Harkins adds, "He comes from a very strong and supportive family and we are thrilled to welcome Taylor and the entire Gauthier family to the Prince George Cougars and Northern British Columbia.

Gauthier was the first goaltender selected in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft and is the first goaltender ever to be selected by the Prince George Cougars in the first round of the WHL Bantam Draft. The only goaltender ever selected earlier in a WHL Bantam Draft: Carey Price (7th overall in 2002, Tri-City Americans).

Previous First Round Selections for the Prince George Cougars include:

Jackson Leppard (8th Overall, 2015)

Justin Almeida (5th Overall, 2014)

Josh Anderson (3rd Overall, 2013)

Brad Morrison (7th Overall, 2012)

Jansen Harkins (2nd Overall, 2012)

The Prince George Cougars are next scheduled to select in the second round 31st overall.

Check out the Prince George Cougars Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from May 5, 2016


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