Syracuse Crunch Weekly Prospect Report: Gauthier, Pelletier, Furry

The Syracuse Crunch had three games in five days this past week, with two of them being on the road against the Laval Rocket and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and one being home versus the Rochester Americans. 

The Crunch dropped the first game of the week, 6-1, against the Rocket; it was never really close. The game against the Americans, though, on Oct. 23, was a different story. The Crunch were down 2-0, came back (for the second week in a row) with a goal in the last minute of the third period to tie it, but then lost in overtime 3-2. The contest when Syracuse traveled to Lehigh Valley was another opposite tale, as they blew out the Phantoms, winning 7-2. 

In a tale of three different paths, the Crunch got three of the six available points on the week, and currently sit fifth in the North Division, clinging to that last playoff spot early on into the season. Here are the three players who were notable throughout the week for Syracuse. 

Ethan Gauthier 

Ethan Gauthier was selected early in the second round in 2023 by the Lightning. He played his first full professional season with the Crunch in 2025-26, and tallied 27 points in 56 games played. 

Gauthier has come into this season though ready to play after gaining a lot of experience in the last campaign, and he’s been one of the bright spots on this team. He showed that off again this past week. 

Gauthier was out on the ice in the waning minutes of the third period in the game against the Americans, down 2-1. With just over a minute to go, there was a scramble right in front of the Rochester goal. The puck was loose, and Gauthier was able to jab at it and finally get it in the back of the net past Matthew Villalta, who was solid the entire night. 

Gauthier had three more points in the game against the Phantoms. His points total is at five through eight games. 

Jakob Pelletier 

Jakob Pelletier, in 2025-26, was awarded the John B. Sollenberger Trophy, as he led the AHL in points, and was on the AHL First All-Star Team. To start this season, though, he’s gotten off to a slower pace, recording four points in eight games before the game against the Phantoms. 

Pelletier broke that slow start on Oct. 24, and in Lehigh Valley, scored a hat trick by the time the second period came to a close. All three goals came in the second frame. Nick Abruzzese had assists on two of the goals, as he threw the puck down towards Phantoms goaltender Carter Bjarnson, and Pelletier was there to redirect it both times.