In his rookie season with the Océanic, Gauthier was considered a top prospect after recording 60 points in 62 games.[1] He competed in the CHL Top Prospects Game[10] and received a final ranking of eighth amongst North American skaters from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[11] Prior to the draft, he was praised as a proficient skater who could use his 6'5 body to control the puck.[12] He fulfilled the expectation to be a first-round selection at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft,[13][14] when he was selected 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.[15] As his family was from Quebec, his grandfather was unhappy with his draft team and cursed out loud when he heard the news.[8] After the draft, Gauthier was invited to their training camps in September,[16] but returned to Rimouski for the 2013–14 season.[17] While with the Leafs organization, he partook skating lessons with coach Barb Underhill.[18] During that season, the Leafs signed Gauthier to a three-year, entry-level contract on November 28, 2013.[19] Although Gauthier helped lead Rimouski to the QMJHL playoffs, they were eliminated in the second round by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.[17]