The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Frederik Gauthier to an entry-level deal, the team announced on Wednesday.
Gauthier, 18, was the club’s first-round pick (21st overall) at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Scouts were high on his size -- 6-foot-5, 214 pounds -- and offensive ability, as he finished fourth among rookies in scoring in the QMJHL last season.
Heading into the draft, Gauthier was ranked as the No. 8 North American skater.
This year, the Rimouski product has 21 points in 21 games and was named to the QMHJL select team that played Russia in the two-game Subway Super Series played on Nov. 18 and 20.