Rob Gaudreau was a prolific collegiate hockey player for Providence College from 1988 to 1992. He was originally a defenseman but transitioned to a full-time forward during his time with the Friars. Gaudreau holds the school’s all-time record for goals with 103 and finished his college career with a total of 211 points. His outstanding performance in his senior season earned him a spot as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 1992. He was also named a Second-Team All-American and was a two-time All-Hockey East selection.

After college, Gaudreau was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1988, but his rights were later traded to the San Jose Sharks, with whom he began his professional career. Gaudreau played in the NHL for four seasons with the Sharks and the Ottawa Senators, scoring 51 goals and 54 assists in 231 games. As a rookie with the Sharks, he recorded the first two hat tricks in franchise history. He retired from professional hockey in 1997 after playing a final season in Switzerland.