HALIFAX | If everything comes at the right time to who knows how to wait, we can say that Nathan Gaucher has not stolen the role he has played with Junior Team Canada since the start of the Worlds.
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Used sporadically last summer in Edmonton, often as the 13th forward, the Quebec Remparts center player has established himself as an important cog in the Canadian team, in the shadow of the team's big guns.
"Honest and hardworking"
At the end of the four games of the group stage, he has three points in four games and just over 14 minutes spent on average on the ice per game.
But his impact goes beyond the numbers, and he even served as an example for head coach Dennis Williams in Sunday's team meetings following the 5-1 win over Sweden.
“I pulled out a clip from yesterday's game, there were 2:29 to go and we had a face-off in offensive territory, up 5-1. We talk a lot to players about the importance of being resilient for 60 minutes or more in each game, it is very important for us. On this sequence, Nathan applied himself in pursuit of the puck to our blue line. It's something we often practice, but several players would have given up, given the 5-1 score and the opposing team's low chances of a comeback.
“We consider ourselves very lucky to have a player like that, who is part of your group of leaders, and who plays the right way for 60 minutes. He blocked shots and was very effective on the penalty kill, especially on right faceoffs. He is an honest and hardworking guy and we know that when he is in his game, our team is in his game.
Trust, the key
While Nathan had an erased role last summer, ECJ gave the Anaheim Ducks prospect an important mandate from the start, naming him one of four assistants to captain Shane Wright. His line partners have changed somewhat along the way but, for his part, he has occupied the same chair as the team's third center player since the start of the competition.
“The confidence of a coach is big in a tournament like this. The more the games go on, the better the teams will be and I will have to do my part. It will be important to get this confidence and continue to play my style,” he said.
On Saturday, against the Swedes, Junior Team Canada imposed the style that has stuck with them for years, that of a fast and physical team. Tailor-made style for the 6', 3", 207 lb. tall right-hander.
“He is a big physical player and very intelligent, complimented his line partner Zack Ostapchuk. He is very good on face-offs and he is a wrecking ball on the ice, in addition to having good individual skills. I love playing with him."
