Arizona Coyotes‘ undrafted rookie center Tyler Gaudet(32) has been proving he’s got sauce since he first laced ’em up.
He began as an 18-year old in the QMJHL with Gatineau Olympiques but was dropped back when he failed to produce as a youngster.
The unassumingly large 6’3″ 205 lbs. forward played a couple half seasons in the CCHL with Pembroke Lumber Kings working on his game and eventually signed with Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds a year after his demotion.
He was slow to start but picked it up big in his second campaign with the team scoring 26 goals and 35 assists in 65 OHL games with a +25 rating and continued his hot streak into 9 playoff contests with a pair of tallies and 6 helpers.
Despite earlier uneven play he managed to land himself on the radar of the Coyotes and was signed to a three-year entry level deal before turning pro at the end of 2013/2014.
Arriving for his first development and training camps, the 21-year old showed the big club he was ready to go with an impressive, accountable two-way style game he was developing.
He was reassigned to Portland Pirates at the start of the season and picked up right away.
In 29 AHL games he’s grabbed 4 goals and 4 assists with a +2 plus/minus while helping keeping the club in the picture.
His consistent play has earned him a recall to the NHL.
In his debut he skated 12 even strength shifts for 9:20 of total ice with one shot on net, one hit and was a -1 in the team’s 4-2 victory.
If he can land a spot on the roster, he is easily the type of player that can be great on the penalty kill and help out on the offense too.