Former Leafs 1st round pick heading to Europe to continue pro hockey career

According to a Maple Leafs Hot Stove contributor, former 21st overall pick in 2013, Frederik Gauthier, has elected to sign a one-year deal with HC Ajoie of the Swiss National League, where he'll play with former Toronto Marlies teammate T.J. Brennan.

Gauthier spent the bulk of the 2021-22 season with the AHL's Utica Comets, suiting up in 51 games for the New Jersey Devils' AHL affiliate, posting 8 goals and 24 assists for 32 points. He also made it into 8 regular season NHL games for the Devils last season, though he was held off the scoresheet through those 8 contests and finished a -1 on the season.

At 6'5, 239 lbs, Gauthier was a Brian Burke draft pick from the "truculence" era in Toronto. Unfortunately he never amounted to much for the Leafs aside from a 4th line checking center with no offensive upside whatsoever. Gauthier played parts of 5 seasons with the Leafs before departing via free agency in 2020, inking a deal for a cup of coffee in Arizona before joining the Devils organization last summer.

In 178 career NHL games, Gauthier has managed just 13 goals and 31 points and 47 penalty minutes.