Fresh start for Gamelin, Gauthier
Chase Gamelin and Will Gauthier are moving far from their Sault Ste. Marie hometown to continue playing in the North American Hockey League in 2015-2016.
The 1996 birth-year forwards will not be relocating from the Soo to New Jersey to skate for the Titans in 2015-2016. Rather, they will be suiting up for the South Dakota-based Brookings Blizzard following a recent NAHL trade from the relocated Titans.
Seeking a fresh start, Gamelin and Gauthier were shipped to Brookings in exchange for 1995 birth-year defenceman Joe Nathe.
While Gamelin and Gauthier — who both have future commitments to play for the Lake Superior State University Lakers of the Division 1, Western Collegiate Hockey Association — were non-productive fourth-liners in 2014-2015, Brookings coach-general manager Dan Daikawa was quick to put in an offer for the pair after they requested a trade.
“They will play a big part of our team this coming season,” Daikawa said without hesitation, when asked by HockeyNewsNorth.com what he expects from the duo.
Gamelin and Gauthier didn’t exactly light it up for the Soo as NAHL rookies and highly-touted LSSU recruits in 2014-2015.
The 6-foot-1, 189-pound Gamelin had 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points in 39 regular-season games and went pointless in 5 playoff matches.
The 6-foot-1, 174-pound Gauthier had 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points in 45 regular-season games and went pointless in 4 playoff matches.
Both were healthy scratches throughout the 2014-2015 season as the Soo coaching staff had issues with the defensive play of the two rookie forwards.
But now it’s off to Brookings for Gamelin and Gauthier, the former Sault High Blue Devils stars of two seasons ago.
“We wish them both well,” said Bruno Bragagnolo, who oversees hockey operations for the NAHL New Jersey entry in addition to being the general manager of the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
“We don’t want players who don’t want to be with us,” Bragagnolo said of Gamelin and Gauthier, while adding that Nathe “is the player who we wanted in return.”
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenceman, Nathe had 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points in 58 games on a Brookings team that missed the NAHL playoffs in 2014-2015.
It’s also easier for the Lakers coaches to keep track of their progress playing in the NAHL Central Division.
Hmmmmm ….. not sure about how good these 2 kids will be. Yes they were Stars at Sault High but that level of play is far below the NA not to mention D1. A lot of fans around town were suprised to say the least when the Lakers comitted to them. Oh well I do wish them the best ….. they are both good kids. I just do not see them as being “a big part of the team” out in Brookings. I could be wrong tho ….. time will tell.
Its hard to judge player’s who get limmited ice time espesally as rookies just out of high school. This trade could turn out to be a steal for Brookings getting 2 1996 Forwards for a 1995 Dman. Or it could be a case of addition by subtraction for Soo/New Jersey it depends on how you look at it. As far as Lake Superior committing to Gammelin and Gauthier so early I will repeat the comment of ‘American Eagle’ with a big “Hmmmmmmmmmm”.
I predict 30 Goals for Will next season and 20 – 25 for Chase. Bruno blew this trade big time. These are 2 future Laker stars.
Good Luck in South Dakota to both of you boys. See you both in Laker Blue in a yr or 2.
Hey Laker Shaker remember your comment at this time next year. I think you will be eating some crow and coughing up the feathers.
We shall see Observer but I think they will both be just what the Brookings Coach says they will be which is a big part of that team. The Lakers know talent when they see it and Will and Chase should have been on the 1st or 2nd Line last season but Bruno forgot to put his glasses on.
If Coach Dakawwa says these 2 guys can play then believe it that they can play.
Coach Dan know’s a good player when he see’s one.
Good to see that you are still writing about the Nahl Randy. I always enjoy your articles on the diferent League’s and I continue to follow Coach Dan ever since he left Jamestown.
Some of you guys need to get seriius .. .. Lets just say that Brookings is getting exactly what they traded for and that is a pair of Fourth Line Players.
Laker Shaker shake your head your brain needs some adjustment, you can’t be serious Gauthier and Gamelin will be lucky if they make their team, when the play gets physical they will both hang out at the blue line they are both brutal defensively
Tweety Bird: You don’t know anything about hockey and Gauthier is a center so he is actually always down low in the d-zone, especially when things get physical. Gamelin is a winger so he does stay out by the blue line blocking shots from their defensemen. Also I know both of them very well and they are getting stronger and training every morning. So get your facts straight bud, you don’t know hockey
What team is Bruno going to coach next season?
Soo Eagles in Nojhl
They also did very well at brookings main camp being two of the best players on the ice
Hey Birdhunter, if Gauthier and Gamelin were the two best players at Brookings Camp ,Brookings is in trouble they might as well invite you to play Golf with them in a 3 man winter golf league in Florida!
tweety douche still hating on the boys….fyi Will scored the game winner last night in Sioux Falls against the Stampede (USHL) for a 4-1 win. Maybe YOU should get off the golf course and watch a few games and learn something about hockey instead of kissing coach’s asses and bad mouthing kids
Truth be told NJ by far got best part of deal. Nathe is smooth skating highly skilled puck handling defenseman.
All the best to both players. I’m sure they’ll get the ice time that they earn, and will have a chance to actually develop and get prepared for the D-1 level at LSSU.