USA Hockey will honor 12 deserving individuals at its President’s Awards Dinner on June 7 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center as part of its four-day Annual Meeting that begins on June 5.

Among the winners is Cutter Gauthier, named the Jim Johannson College Player of the Year.

A sophomore forward, Gauthier was a standout at Boston College during the 2023-24 college hockey season. The Scottsdale native helped lead the Eagles to both the Hockey East regular-season and tournament championship, and propelled BC to its first national championship game appearance since 2012.

Gauthier led the nation in scoring with 38 goals, including a chart-topping 10 game-winners, and ranked second nationally with 65 points. His 13 power-play goals ranked second nationally, as he tallied an impressive 1.59 points per game.

Gauthier, who signed an entry-level contract with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks following the college season in April, was named an AHCA Division I First Team All-American as well as earning All-Hockey East First Team honors.

Gauthier’s goal-scoring ability and dominance made him a Hobey Baker Memorial Award Hat Trick finalist and a Hockey East Player of the Year finalist. He also received the Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.

On the international stage, Gauthier helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. The alternate captain tallied the game-winning goal late in the third period in the U.S.’ 3-2 semifinal victory against Finland. He registered a tournament-leading 12 points and earned the Directorate Award for Best Forward, as well as a nod on the Media All-Star Team. His 10 assists were the third-most by an American in a single World Junior Championship.

Photo/John Quackenbos

(June 3, 2024)