ECHL Player Profile: Kurt Gosselin

Born in Brighton, Michigan, defenseman Kurt Gosselin began playing hockey at around four years old and quickly fell in love with the game, thanks to his dad, who also played and coached hockey. Gosselin credits his dad for being his inspiration for his hockey career. The 29-year-old defenseman would get his start in the BCHL, where he spent three seasons with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, where he put up 26 goals and 63 assists for 89 points in 122 games and would be a First-Team All-Star in 2015 after he put up 12 goals and 31 assists for 43 points in 32 games. Gosselin would then take the NCAA route, playing four years at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, where he put up 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points in 118 games.

“It was a good experience. It was a dream of mine at the time, and I got to meet some of my best friends down in Huntsville, so it was a good experience, and I had a great time”.

-Gosselin on his time at the University of Alabama-Huntsville

Gosselin began his pro career with the Cincinnati Cyclones, scoring five goals and adding two assists for seven points. He also tasted AHL experience with the Rochester Americans, playing eight games and putting up three assists. Since leaving Cincinnati, Gosselin has made five other stops around the league as he’s spent time with the Toledo Walleye, Kalamazoo Wings, Reading Royals, and Orlando Solar Bears. Over the course of those five seasons, Gosselin has put up 22 goals and 34 assists for 56 points in 149 games. He’s also played in 15 career Kelly Cup Playoff games, where he’s put up six assists.

“It’s been a rollercoaster; it’s been up and down, but I enjoy the game I love playing hockey and I’m just hoping to find that spot where I can play and contribute and Adirondack’s been a great home for me so far so I’m excited”

-Gosselin on his ECHL

Heading into the 2024 off-season, the Adirondack Thunder needed to find some help on the blue line after Colin Felix signed with the Rockford Ice Hogs, and Will MacKinnon will likely spend the season with the Utica Comets. Adirondack would acquire Kurt Gosselin in a trade with the Orlando Solar Bears, which sent Matt Stief to Orlando before Stief decided to take the overseas route.

“We did work things out in Orlando where I was gonna go there, and then I did find out about halfway through the Summer that I was being traded here. To be honest, I knew who the staff was here and the team they had, so I was extremely excited to come play here; great fan base, great culture, and something I thought I would be able to fit in well too, so I was pretty excited to come here.”

-Gosselin on being traded to the Thunder

The move to Adirondack reunites Gosselin with Shaw Boomhower. The two spent parts of four seasons playing together with the Kalamazoo Wings and Cincinnati Cyclones. They were also roommates during their time with the Cyclones. Boomhower has already made his name known to the Adirondack faithful after dropping the gloves in the first pre-season game, and according to Gosselin, he should be a fan-favorite once again in Adirondack, something that seems to stay true wherever Boomhower plays.

“He should be; in Cinci, he was, and most teams he goes on, he was. He’s a great guy, he’s a culture guy, he’s good in the room on and off the ice, and I was roommates with him in Cincinnati, so coming back and seeing a familiar face is good, and I know what he can bring to the table for our team, and I’m excited to have him here with us this year.”

-Gosselin on Shaw Boomhower possibly being a fan favorite in Adirondack This Season

The Cool Insuring Arena has continued to grow its reputation as a tough place to play. One of the biggest factors has to be Section N, which is located right behind the visiting team’s bench and is known for getting under the skin of opposing players and coaches. Gosselin, who had spent time as an opponent as a member of the Reading Royals, is happy to finally be on the other side of the ice with the fans now on his side.

“It’s good, this fans base is tough their good they support very well and I’m very fourtante to be on the home side of it now cause I got experience the away side of it and I wouldn’t wanna be anywhere else besides these fans”

-Gosselin on being on the right side of the bench in Adirondack

Before even making his home debut, Gosselin had already found the scoresheet. He picked up his first point as a member of the Thunder and assisted in Adirondack’s second game of the season vs Norfolk Admirals.