After 5 years with the Cardiff Devils, defenceman Gleason Fournier is moving on to HC Bolzano.
After 5 years with the Cardiff Devils, defenceman Gleason Fournier is moving on to HC Bolzano.
Fournier has been the top defenceman in the league the past 2 seasons. He was voted onto the Elite League’s First All-Star team for 2019-20 after leading all defenders in scoring for the second season in a row.
In 2018-19, Fournier led all defencemen in league scoring with 24 goals and 47 assists for 71 points. He was the only defenceman to finish in the top 35 scorers across the EIHL, finishing 5thoverall, just 8 points shy of the league’s top scorer.
He also led the league in plus/minus that season with an amazing +56. He was named the EIHL defenceman of the year as well as picking up Devil’s Defenceman of the year and the Player of the Year award at the Devils End of Season Awards.
“We were obviously planning to bring Gleason back next season, but with Covid-19 shutting down the league back in March, he decided to wait it out until we could confirm that our season was definitely going ahead,” explained Managing Director Todd Kelman.
“When I told all the guys about the uncertainty surrounding the start date of our league, he started looking around seriously and got a few offers right away.”
“Fourns is an exceptional talent, probably the smoothest skater I have seen play in this league, and he combines that with outstanding offensive talent and solid defensive play. I’m glad we kept him for so long, but in these uncertain times I am definitely not surprised that he has been given the opportunity to move on.”
“Everyone here at the Devils wants to see him succeed and we wish him well. He has been great for us for 5 seasons and we expect that same level of play to make him a fan favourite with his new club.”
HC Bolzano play in the bet-at-home Ice Hockey League, which is the same league that Ben Bowns has moved to (with Graz 99ers).
