Cutter Gauthier was drafted by Philadelphia, but never agreed with the NHL team and was traded to Anaheim in January 2024.
There, he became teammates with the Swedish talent from Värmland, Leo Carlsson.
A top guy. Throughout the year, we've built a great relationship and he's a super good friend. He loves to joke around, have fun and keep it light, says Gauthier the day before the World Championship semifinal.
American stood for 44 points in 82 regular season matches during the past season in Anaheim, which was one point less than Carlsson.
The cooperation with the Swede on the ice attributes the 21-year-old much to the relationship off the ice.
"Top person"
That we can have good conversations off the ice and get to know each other there leads to good things on the ice. He's been a great friend to me all year. A top person I want to grow with in the future.
The two friends met during Gauthier's first day in Stockholm.
We rode around with electric scooters and suddenly I saw him waving. So we chatted for a bit and checked out the situation, how everything was and how the tournament is going so far, says Gauthier who has made eight points in eight matches during the World Championship.
Carlsson himself also has good things to say about the relationship with his teammate.
We're the same age, so it gets easier to become friends directly, he says.
We played a lot in the same line in the end, so we have a special relationship, absolutely. And I think we help each other well out there.
"Awesome atmosphere"
Gauthier's relation to Sweden is special. Dad Sean was a goalie and played in Sweden for several years and Cutter was born in Skellefteå.
To just get to meet Sweden and Carlsson in a World Championship semifinal, he describes as "fun and exciting".
We really look forward to it. I'm sure it's going to be an awesome atmosphere.
I played against him (Carlsson) a few times when I grew up, but this is probably the biggest scene we meet each other on. So I look forward to it.
How will you stop Leo?
I don't know if I can, he's too good, he says with a smile.
