The Florida Everblades announced yesterday that the team has signed forward Andrew Fournier to a contract for the 2008-09 season.Fournier comes to the Everblades after splitting the 2007-08 season between the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League and the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. The 20-year-old began last season as the captain of the Whalers and wrapped up a five-year junior career by putting together a strong season in notching 35 goals and 40 assists for 75 points, all career-highs, in 64 games. Fournier then jumped to the pro ranks after signing with the Admirals and finished off the season skating in six games.
“Andrew had a tremendous overage year in Plymouth last season putting together a breakout offensive year,” Everblades head coach Malcolm Cameron said. “He’s the kind of player that plays equally well at both ends of the ice and is versatile. Andrew improved every year at the junior level and capped it off by getting a good taste of the pro game in Norfolk. We’re hoping he’s going to transform that into success with the Everblades.”
In Fournier’s last three seasons with Plymouth, the Amherstview, Ontario native registered 152 points (78g, 74a) in 189 games. In addition to his strong regular season numbers, Fournier also impressed in the postseason each of the last three years with the Whalers, tallying 27 points (10g, 17a) in 37 playoff games. In 2006-07, Fournier helped lead the Whalers to the OHL championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup semifinals before losing out to eventual Memorial Cup champion Vancouver.
Overall during his five-year OHL career, Fournier notched 168 points (85g, 83a) in 226 games. At the end of his five-year career with Plymouth, the 5-foot-11, 192 pound center ranked 11th all-time in team history in assists, 12th all-time in goals and 19th all-time in points.
Photo by Walt Dmoch/Plymouth Whalers
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