PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Taylor Gauthier had entered church on Easter morning with a few of his Wheeling Nailers teammates Sunday. As protocol, he looked down at his phone to put it on do not disturb. That’s how he found out he was called up to the NHL for the first time.
“I had four missed calls from Pens assistant general manager Jason Spezza,” Gauthier said. “So I figured it was something pretty important.”
Goalie Stuart Skinner was deemed unable to play due to an upper-body injury suffered while he was on the bench for the Pens 9-4 win on Saturday. They needed Gauthier up there immediately.
The 25-year-old said it was about 10 minutes from the service starting, so he went into the church, told his teammates, hurried home, but a backpack of stuff together, grabbed his gear and drove to PPG Paints Arena.
Within maybe the length of that service, Gauthier was on the ice during Pens warmups. One circumstance away from playing, as he would back-up Arturs Silovs versus Florida.
“It was crazy,” Gauthier said. “Obviously there have been a couple of preseason games where I’ve been fortunate enough to dress. This is the first time I’ve been in this arena with the gear on skating around.”
“It’s surreal, especially with the pedigree of guys in this room.”
“I think I speak for every Canadian kid that grew up watching Sid play. He’s a hero to all of us. I was just trying to stay out of his way, honestly.”
“It’s always a great feeling to see somebody in those first moments,” said Pens head coach Dan Muse. “Even when you don’t play in the game, for a goalie to come in here and be a part of it. That’s something everybody always thinks about. Seeing him come in (to the room) was cool to see.”
Gauthier re-signed with the Pens in the offseason, and while he hasn’t risen above the ECHL level this season, he has been impressive in Wheeling. In 33 games, 20-7-5 with a 2.00 goals against average and .932 save percentage.
“He’s been a top goalie in that league, great teammate, great member of the organization,” Muse said. “Somebody we are excited about.”
Sunday wasn’t about any of that, it was getting that taste and finding out moments before the start of Easter service.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet,” Gauthier said. “I didn’t expect the first time to be called up to the NHL to be in this scenario. I’m so grateful to experience that, everyone was so welcoming. It’s been a dream come true.”
LISTEN to Taylor Gauthier’s story of finding out about NHL first
