The Cardiff Devils have added 30-year-old forward Stefan Fournier to their roster for the rest of the season.
The Canadian arrives in the Elite League from the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, for whom he recorded a dozen points (seven goals, five assists) in 17 appearances in 2022-23.
Fournier, who is the second player to join the Devils this festive season, has spent most of his career in the North American third tier, posting 176 points (96 goals, 80 assists) in 268 appearances between 2013 and 2022.
The Dorval-born forward has also appeared in the American Hockey League, scoring 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 142 games for the Hamilton Bulldogs, St. John’s IceCaps, Springfield Falcons, Tucson Roadrunners, and Syracuse Crunch.
In his final year of junior eligibility, Fournier captained the Halifax Mooseheads to the Memorial Cup with 29 points (16 goals, 13 assists) in 17 postseason appearances.
Fournier is expected to debut for the Devils on New Year’s Eve versus the Guildford Flames.
Analysis: Stefan Fournier will add bite to Cardiff Devils
Stefan Fournier is the kind of player who isn’t afraid to throw his body around.
The Quebec-born sniper enjoyed a brief spell in the Slovak Extraliga with HK Dulka Michalovce and recorded 118 penalty minutes in just 15 appearances. In 2017-18, he amassed a career-high 145 penalty minutes in 49 appearances for the ECHL’s Brampton Beast.
Fournier will undoubtedly add bite to a Cardiff Devils squad that wants to play with more of an edge down the stretch. But he can also play – and should post a fair number of points too.
“The reports we have on Stefan are very exciting, a player that I believe our fanbase will instantly embrace,” explained Devils head coach Brodie Dupont. “He plays with an edge, throws his weight around, is willing to drop the gloves and scores dirty goals in front of the net.
“There are guys on our team that played against him in the ECHL and know what kind of player he is. They know what he can bring to a team, and they are excited to have him coming in. So am I.”
The 30-year-old already has 12 points (seven goals, five assists) on the season and still has plenty left in the tank.
If he lands on his feet, Fournier will come in clutch for the Devils. He’s one to watch.
