In the 2013–14 season, Gaudette scored 29 goals in 27 games at Thayer Academy. In 2014, he committed to playing for Northeastern University. Skating as a freshman for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League, Gaudette scored 30 points in 41 games. The Vancouver Canucks drafted Gaudette 149th overall in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft after acquiring the pick from the New York Rangers in exchange for Raphael Diaz. Despite being drafted, Gaudette agreed to play for Northeastern University, as he committed to do in 2014.
College
In 2016, he tallied a goal and an assist to beat fellow Canucks prospect Thatcher Demko of Boston College to propel Northeastern to the Hockey East Championship. Two years after being drafted in the fifth round, he was called a "first-rate prospect," ranking first in NCAA power-play goals with 14 and third in points after 31 games and in the top 10 nationally. Pierre McGuire described him as, "the steal of the 2015 draft." During the 2017–18 season Gaudette recorded career highs in goals and assists while leading the Huskies to their first Beanpot championship in 30 years. During the 66th Beanpot Final, Gaudette recorded a hat trick to help Northeastern beat Boston University 5–2. He earned the Most Outstanding Player for his efforts. Gaudette signed an entry level contract with the Canucks on March 26, 2018, after he finished the 2017–18 season first in the NCAA with 60 points. At the end of the season, Gaudette won Hockey East Player of the Year and was awarded the Hockey East Scoring Champion title. He was also named to the First All-Star Team. On April 6, 2018, Gaudette was announced as the Hobey Baker Award winner. He was also named an AHCA East First-Team All-American along with teammates Dylan Sikura and Jeremy Davies.
Professional
Gaudette made his NHL debut on March 29, 2018, in a game against the Edmonton Oilers. As the Canucks failed to make the post season, he only appeared in 5 games. After attending Canucks training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, Gaudette was reassigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Utica Comets. However, his stint in the AHL did not last long as he was called up to the NHL on October 15 after playing in four games for the Comets, where he tallied two goals and two assists. On October 25, he earned his first career NHL point, assisting on a Darren Archibald goal, the only Canucks goal scored in a 4–1 loss at the Arizona Coyotes. He scored his first NHL goal on November 24, scoring the first Canucks goal in a 4–2 victory at the Los Angeles Kings.
Playing style
Gaudette says he tries to model his game after players like Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron. He has been described as a center "known for his defensive prowess and his 200-foot game."
