By: Riley Pollock – 24.09.24
Mathieu Gautier says he has a lot to prove.
The third-year forward from Edmonton was selected by the Roughnecks fifth-overall in the Panther City Dispersal Draft at the beginning of the month and he wants to show that the Riggers made the right decision.
“I definitely think I haven’t played to my full potential,” he said. “With the dispersal draft and coming to a new organization, coming into training camp it will be important to set the tone with the player that I know I am.
“I always have high expectations for myself but as long as I am one of the hardest working guys on the floor I know everything will be good.”
Gautier, who was drafted ninth overall in 2022 by Panther City, had 39 points in 17 games with the Victoria Shamrocks this summer, playing alongside Jesse King and other Roughnecks. He says it was a big bonus to get a summer season with the Riggers captain before coming over to the team.
“I think going out to Victoria and having a chance to play with Jesse was awesome,” said Gautier. “He’s a hell of a player and to be able to get a summer together under our belt before the NLL season here is pretty exciting.”
Gautier, who scored 110 points in 23 Junior A RMLL games in 2022 with the Edmonton Miners, said being selected by the Roughnecks was a welcome surprise.
“I was not expectinag how it went down with the dispersal draft,” he explained. “Once coach (Josh) Sanderson called me and told me that I was a Roughneck I was pretty stoked.
“I’m an Edmonton boy and I watched the Rush a lot but once they moved and we would do tournaments as kids we would watch the Roughnecks whenever we could. So I’m pretty stoked to be part of the organization.”
The 6-foot, 195-lb. lefty says his game is to be physical, retrieve the ball and help score as well.
“I’m a blue-collar offensive player,” he said. “I like to get in those corners for those loose balls. I’m not afraid of physical contact; I’ll set those hard picks and when I get to the middle I’ll make sure I bury that ball.”
Having been on the opposing side of the Rough House a couple of times in his career with Panther City, Gautier says he can’t wait to be stepping off the home bench.
“I’m excited for that,” he said with a laugh. “I know how hard it is to be the opposition team so I’m pretty excited to see how it feels to be part of that Roughneck crowd. I’m really looking forward to that.”
