He played for the senior Shawinigan Falls Cataractes from 1938 to 1942 and then turned pro in 1942-43 in the American Hockey League. The next season he was loaned by the Montreal Canadiens to the New York Rangers as part of the deal for Phil Watson. He was returned to the Canadiens in 1944-45 and played the season for them. In 1945 Gauthier was traded to the Detroit Red Wings for Billy Reay. In the NHL, Gauthier played 229 games and scored 46 goals and 50 assists.