Jean Gauthier was a journeyman who spread his 166 NHL games over ten seasons and three different teams. He spent most of his pro career as a farmhand and injury replacement for the Montreal Canadiens. The Montreal native played junior with the St. Boniface Canadiens of the Manitoba Junior League and the Fort William Canadians of the Thunder Bay junior loop. The parent Montreal Canadiens oversaw his development for three more years with the Kingston CKLC's and Hull-Ottawa Canadiens before bringing him up to the NHL for a four game trial in 1960-61. He continued to see most of his ice time with Hull-Ottawa until he played 65 games for the Habs in 1962-63. Gauthier was unable to keep his place and was returned to the minors where he spent most of his time for the next four years. During this