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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 fully absorb this learning experience.

“Gauthier, who was picked by Tampa Bay in the second round (No. 37) of the 2023 NHL Draft, said, “I was merely absorbing everything. That’s my goal. I aspire to be where they are in a few years.”

Looking at players like Kucherov, who topped the League in scoring yet is still here working in July, focusing on the little details, truly encapsulates the essence of being a professional. This fuels my excitement and readiness to work.

Gauthier still has a minimum of one more year before he becomes a professional. During his third season with Drummondville in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, he recorded 71 points (36 goals, 35 assists) in 64 games, matching the team’s highest tally. Additionally, he topped the team in the playoffs with 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) in 19 games, significantly contributing to Drummondville’s QMJHL championship win.

This season, he plans to return to Drummondville and aims to build on his personal and team achievements from 2023-24.

“I had a great year, feeling faster, stronger and improving overall as a player,” Gauthier stated. “The highlight was certainly our successful playoff run, dealing with high-pressure situations where we all had to deliver and do everything required to secure the victory.”

Gauthier’s game is rooted in his skill and ability around the net, however, he is aware that being 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds requires a certain level of toughness to excel at more advanced levels. J.P. Cote, the Lightning’s director of player development, emphasized the need to constantly challenge Gauthier and other players who have participated in numerous development camps.

“Cote stated that the aim of conducting fitness tests and drills is to impart new skills to the junior players for them to utilise. This constant interaction helps them improve as players, with every small improvement adding up. Over time, even a small one, two, or three percent improvement can lead to a player being 50 percent better than at the start, which is our ultimate goal,” he said.

Gauthier is on a quest for that extra percent — the additional advantage that can set him apart from the rest.

“Here, you acquire a wealth of knowledge,” said Gauthier. “I’ve grown considerably as a person, both personally and professionally, compared to last year. Now, I need to keep improving and work towards becoming the player I aspire to be.”