Tyler Gaudet

History

2009-10: Tyler Gaudet skated for the Hamilton Junior Bulldogs in the South Central AAA major midget league in Ontario.

2010-11: Gaudet played for the Hamilton Red Wings in the junior A Ontario Junior Hockey League. He scored 4 goals with 15 assists and 14 penalty minutes in 41 regular season games. The Red Wings topped Brampton in a preliminary round before being swept by the Burlington Cougars. Gaudet scored 3 goals with 3 assists and 6 penalty minutes in seven playoff games.

2011-12: Gaudet made his major junior debut with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques — splitting the season between Gatineau and the junior A Pembroke Lumber Kings in Ontario. He scored 3 goals with 2 assists and was -1 with 25 penalty minutes in 38 games for Gatineau. Gaudet scored 4 goals with 12 assists and 6 penalty minutes in 22 regular season games for Pembroke. The Lumber Kings advanced to the CCHL semifinals, falling 3-1 to Nepean in the decisive seventh game. Gaudet had 3 assists with 2 penalty minutes in 11 playoff games.

2012-13: Gaudet joined the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in December after starting the season in junior A hockey with the Pembroke Lumber Kings. He scored 3 goals with 5 assists and had an even plus/minus with 10 penalty minutes in 34 regular season games for the Greyhounds. The Greyhounds finished second to Plymouth in the West Division, falling to Owen Sound in a first-round series. Gaudet scored 1 goal and was -2 with 10 penalty minutes in six playoff games. He was a team captain for Pembroke before joining the Greyhounds and scored 10 goals with 12 assists and 6 penalty minutes in 25 CHL games.

2013-14: Gaudet signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Coyotes in November 2013 and made his pro hockey debut with the AHL’s Portland Pirates following his OHL season with Sault Ste. Marie. He was -1 with no points nor penalties in two AHL games for the Pirates, who missed the AHL playoffs. Gaudet was Sault Ste. Marie’s third-leading scorer in his first full OHL season — scoring 26 goals with 35 assists — and was +25 with 35 penalty minutes. The Greyhounds finished first in the West Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Gaudet had 2 goals with 6 assists and was +3 with no penalties in nine playoff games.

2014-15: Gaudet made his NHL debut in two mid-season games with Arizona and skated for Coyotes’ AHL affiliate Portland in his first pro season. He was -1 with no points nor penalties in 9:20 minutes of ice time in a December 29th game against Philadelphia and was scoreless in just under 10 minutes of ice time against Dallas two nights later in his only NHL action. Gaudet scored 8 goals with 12 assists and was -5 with 22 penalty minutes in 71 regular season games for Portland. The Pirates finished fourth in the Atlantic Division, falling to eventual Calder Cup champion Manchester in a first-round playoff series. Gaudet scored 1 goal with 1 assist and was +1 with no penalties in four playoff games

Talent Analysis

Gaudet was a surprise mid-season free agent signing during his impressive junior campaign in 2013-14 and rewarded the Coyotes by playing a simple, effective bottom-six game at the AHL level. He has never been a flashy player, but always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Future

Gaudet will look to challenge for a lower line role with the Coyotes in his second training camp with Arizona but barring any surprises will start the 2015-16 season with new AHL affiliate Springfield. He fills the mold of fourth-line center. Gaudet is strong in the faceoff circle and has some modest offensive skills. His long-term potential appears limited but he could be a valuable lower line forward for a team who needs a strong defensive presence in that role.