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GLEASON FOURNIER
Gleason Fournier
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Vitals: 6’0” / 184 lbs.
Birthdate: September 8, 1991
Hometown: St-Fabien, Quebec
Acquired: Detroit’s fourth choice (90th overall) in the 2009 draft
CSS Ranking: 62nd North American skater (2009)
Contract: 2014 via CapGeek.com
RWC Says: Offensive Defenseman

STORIES

AWARDS
None Listed

HISTORY
2007-08:
  • Joined Rimouski after being selected fifth overall in the 2007 QMJHL draft.
  • Used mostly on the third pairing as a rookie (56-3-8-11, plus-3, 52 shots, 23 hits).
2008-09
  • Put up good numbers as a third-pairing defenseman in Rimouski (66-3-25-28, 72 shots, 74 hits).
  • Posted the worst plus-minus among defenseman on his team at minus-6.
  • Missed nine of 13 playoff games with injury as Rimouski bowed out in QMJHL semifinals.
  • Appeared in all four games at Memorial Cup with host Rimouski.
  • Selected by the Red Wings in the third round (90th overall) of the NHL draft.
2009-10
  • Missed most of training camp and first nine games of QMJHL season with shoulder injury
  • Put up solid numbers for mid-pack Rimouski (58-13-37-50, 76 PIMs, 136 shots, 102 hits).
2010-11
  • Returned to QMJHL with Rimouski and saw his production slip slightly (57-12-32-44-58).
  • Signed three-year entry-level contract with Red Wings in late November.
  • Finished second in defense scoring for Rimouski and 13th among QMJHL blueliners.
  • Scored 11 of his 12 goals on the power play, was a minus-4 and had 106 shots.
  • Appeared in four playoff games as Rimouski made quick playoff exit with (4-1-1-2).
2011-12
  • Started season in ECHL and remained in Toledo for bulk of year (55-2-16-18, minus-9, 101 shots).
  • Called up to AHL with Grand Rapids in November and March (13-1-3-4, even plus-minus, four shots).

SCOUT COMMENTS
“He’s a high-end skater. Like all kids, he’s got to get stronger, but we like his skating ability. He can take the puck and go end-to-end anytime he wants.” — Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill (June 2009) … “His skating is so good — forward, backward, left, right. He can do anything with his feet … He’s a good offensive defenseman. He just needs to get some muscle on him, but he has all the assets to be a good hockey player.” — Oceanic GM Yannick Dumais (June 2009) … “He has to continue to play harder defensively and work on winning the battles, but he has something you just can’t teach — and that’s his skating. He just floats on the ice and moves the puck well. He’s an offensive defenseman who can just fly up the ice.” — Red Wings scout Mark Leach (January 2011).

STRENGTHS
World-class skater who glides around the ice with smooth strides and breathtaking acceleration … Great puck-carrier … Good vision and offensive instincts … Has the skill-set of a future power-play quarterback … Makes an honest defensive effort.

WEAKNESSES
Drastically slender for a hockey player and needs more muscle … Often overmatched defensively, despite good intentions … Doesn’t do well in the corners or in front because he’s not strong enough to win battles … Not physical … Struggles when he isn’t playing with confidence.

PROJECTION
The Red Wings took a gamble on Fournier because he’s a world-class skater, but the rest of his game still needs to catch up. He failed to elevate himself into QMJHL all-star territory and couldn’t land permanent AHL work as a rookie pro in 2011-12. He’ll need to do so in 2012-13.

Player statistics powered by www.eliteprospects.com

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2006-2007 Collège Notre-Dame Albatros QMAAA 44 3 17 20 32 | Playoffs 13 0 2 2 30 
 2007-2008 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 56 3 8 11 26 |          
  Canada Québec U17 WHC-17 5 2 3 5 6 |          
 2008-2009 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 66 3 25 28 64 |          
  Rimouski Océanic M-Cup 4 0 0 0 2 |          
 2009-2010 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 58 13 37 50 76 | Playoffs 12 2 10 12 10 
 2010-2011 Rimouski Océanic QMJHL 57 12 32 44 58 | Playoffs 4 1 1 2 12 
 2011-2012 Toledo Walleye ECHL 55 2 16 18 32 |          
  Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 13 1 3 4 14 |          
 2012-2013 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 30 1 5 6 23 | Playoffs 6 0 1 1
  Toledo Walleye ECHL 15 1 0 1 12 |          
 2013-2014 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL - - - - - |          

Player statistics © www.eliteprospects.com



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