Wheeling Nailers Goaltender Secures His Spot In Wheeling History
Gauthier earned the milestone victory during Wheeling’s recent win. The win was secured by Matthew Quercia, who played in his 200th game and netted the shootout winner for Wheeling.
Gauthier surpassed the long-standing franchise record previously held by Andy Franck. Franck had held the mark with 60 career victories with the Nailers, a record that has been in Wheeling for nearly two decades.
The milestone caps off a remarkable run for the Calgary native, who has been a mainstay for the Nailers since turning to the professional level. Gauthier for his calm presence and consistency in goal, Gauthier climbed the franchise while helping Wheeling stay one of the most competitive teams in the ECHL.
This past Friday, Gauthier tied Franck’s record with his 60th career win in a dominant 7–2 victory over the Kalamazoo Wings, needing only eight saves to secure the historic mark. With this victory against the Rapid City Rush, he officially moved into first place on the Nailers’ all-time wins list and re-wrote Wheeling history.
The achievement adds another chapter for Gauthier who already has a decorated professional career. In the 2023-24 season, Gauthier captured the Nick Vitucci ECHL Goaltender of the Year Award after ending the season with a league leading .923 save percentage and ranked among the top goaltenders in goals-against average, wins, and shutouts.
Throughout his time in Wheeling, Gauthier has also earned multiple league honors, including several ECHL Goaltender of the Week selections, and has spent time at the AHL level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Beyond the numbers, the record highlights Gauthier’s importance to the organization. His ability to deliver timely saves, handle heavy workloads, and provide stability in net has made him one of the most impactful players in Nailers history.
As the Nailers push into this final stretch of the season, Gauthier’s record-setting win further cements his status in Wheeling hockey—and sets a new benchmark for the next generation of goaltenders who will follow in his footsteps.
- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit: Stacey Grubich/Olde City Sports Network
