Gaudet enjoying Utah's surprising playoff run
Former Wildcats captain looking for another upset in ECHL semifinal
Christian Gaudet is part of something special that's happening in Salt Lake City.
The 21-year-old Memramcook native is a member of the Utah Grizzlies, who are causing unexpected noise in the East Coast Hockey League playoffs. They've pulled off two upsets and will now face the Las Vegas Wranglers in the best-of-seven league semifinal which opens next Monday.
Utah defeated the Fresno Falcons 4-2 and the Victoria Salmon Kings 4-1 in the opening two rounds. Fresno (92 points) and Victoria (91 points) were the second and third seeds in the National Conference.
The next challenge is even more daunting as Utah prepares to face Las Vegas, which finished atop the National Conference and third overall in the league with 106 points.
"We're playing our best hockey of the season right now,'' said Gaudet in reference to his Utah squad which finished sixth in the National Conference with 74 points.
"We were the underdog in our first two series. We're not supposed to be here right now, but we've just got a good mix of older guys and younger guys. Everybody cares and we're working well together.
"We'll be considered the underdog against Las Vegas for sure, but that's okay. We're used to that role. We're just going to keep playing the same way and hopefully we'll get the same results.''
Gaudet, who played the past four seasons for the Moncton Wildcats, is one of four Moncton connections on Utah's roster. The others are defencemen James Sanford of Alma and Andrew MacDonald and goaltender Michael Mole.
Gaudet and MacDonald helped the Wildcats capture the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League championship in 2005-06. Sanford also played for the Wildcats. Mole is a Moncton native who moved away at a young age and suited up in the Ontario Hockey League.
Gaudet (42-68-110, 258 games) is 20th in Wildcats career scoring. He holds the franchise record for most career games played in the regular season and playoffs combined with 321.
From an 11th round pick in the 2003 QMJHL draft to being named captain of the Wildcats, he's the longshot who made good. He earned a reputation for being a strong two-way centre, solid penalty killer and key faceoff man to go along with his leadership skills.
Gaudet was passed over in the National Hockey League draft, but signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders. He's on a one-year minor pro contract with their ECHL affiliate.
The rookie had 21 points, including seven goals, while playing in all 72 games for Utah in the regular season. He's dressed for eight of 11 contest in the playoffs.
"I'm definitely happy with my decision to come here,'' he said. "My season has gone pretty well. It reminds me a little of my first season in junior just getting used to a new level. My role here is pretty much the same as in junior ... third-line checker, penalty kill and faceoffs.
"When I came down here I didn't know the East Coast League was this good of hockey. There's a lot of skilled players and guys who are on two-way (AHL-ECHL) contracts. It's guys who are trying to get called up.''
Gaudet had offers to play for various universities and planned to join the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus. That is, until the pros came calling.
"I had a few options, but I knew I made the right decision when I saw the calibre of hockey in this league,'' he said. "You want to be in a league where you're playing with better players so that you can improve. It definitely made me a better player being here this season.''
Gaudet went to the QMJHL final twice in four seasons with Moncton and he already knows what it feels like to win a championship. It's an extra motivation to feel that thrill again.
"When I was on that Moncton team (in 2005-06), we just felt like we were going to win every night,'' he said. "There was that confidence around the team. We were the favourite back then which is not the case we're in here, but right now I've got the same feeling again.''
There are 10 former Moncton QMJHL players still in the championship hunt in the professional ranks. The only one who's in the NHL's Stanley Cup chase is Patrick Thoresen of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Three former Wildcats are pursuing the ECHL's Kelly Cup. That's Gaudet, Sanford and MacDonald in Utah.
Six former Wildcats are seeking the Calder Cup in the second round of the American Hockey League playoffs.
The Providence Bruins (Martins Karsums and Nathan Saunders) and Portland Pirates (Jean-Sebastien Aubin) are tied 2-2 entering Game 5 tonight. The Syracuse Crunch (Adam Pineault) lead the Toronto Marlies 2-0 entering Game 3 tonight.
The Rockford IceHogs (Corey Crawford) trail the Chicago Wolves 2-1 entering Game 4 tomorrow. The Philadelphia Phantoms (Oskars Bartulis) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were tied 1-1 entering Game 3 last night.
n Neil Hodge is a Times & Transcript sports reporter who covers the Moncton Wildcats.
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