Fortier agrees to terms with Montreal

Canadiens

MONTREAL – Canadiens General Manager Bob Gainey announced Thursday the signing of forward Olivier Fortier to a three-year contract (2009-10 to 2011-12). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Fortier was selected in the third round by the Canadiens, 65th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. This season, the Rimouski Oceanic captain amassed 35 points (eight goals, 27 assists), served 12 penalty minutes and posted a plus-3 rating in 29 games. Fortier, 19, returned to competition on February 11 after missing 40 games due to a knee injury suffered on October 31 in Baie-Comeau.

In four QMJHL seasons with Drummondville and Rimouski (2005 to 2009), the 5-foot-10, 182-pound centreman recorded 161 points (65 goals, 96 assists) with 107 penalty minutes in 205 regular-season games.

Fortier and the Oceanic will open the playoffs tomorrow in Rimouski against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Named QMJHL Top Defensive Forward in 2007-08, Fortier will also take part in the 2009 Memorial Cup as the Rimouski Oceanic will host the CHL championship tournament from May 15-24.

Born in Quebec City, Fortier played in two pre-season games with the Canadiens in 2008-09.


(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)