Dieude-Fauvel heads back to Elmira

ELMIRA, N.Y. - The Elmira Jackals, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and AHL's Rochester Americans, announced the team has signed defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel to a contract for the 2016-17 season.

Dieude-Fauve returns to Elmira where he skated in 111 regular-season games and 13 playoff games for the Jackals from 2011-13. He recorded 28 points (7g-21a), 83 penalty minutes and a +3 rating and one playoff assist during his tenure in Elmira.

Dieude-Fauvel departed Elmira, he has represented his home nation of France in the World Championships three consecutive years while accruing 34 international contests over that time span. The 29-year-old blueliner also added AHL experience to his resume with a 20-game stint during the 2014-15 campaign with the Iowa Wild.

Dieude-Fauvel split last season between the Rapid City Rush, Evansville IceMen and Kalamazoo Wings collecting 10 points (5g-5a) and 41 penalty minutes in 35 combined games. In total, he has appeared in 382 professional games in North America between the AHL, ECHL and Central Hockey League with Iowa, Elmira, Rapid City, Evansville, Kalamazoo, Quad City and Laredo.

Prior to coming to North America, the Bordeaux, France native played in 119 games in France's top division logging 30 points (15g-15a) and 237 penalty minutes over six seasons. In addition to his recent run with France's top international club, Dieude-Fauvel also represented France at the World Junior Championships Division 1 twice at the U20 level and twice with the U18 team.