Wichita adds Boutet to blue line

Wichita, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Edmonton Oilers and AHL's Bakersfield Condors, announced the signing of defenseman Etienne Boutet for the 2017-18 season.

Boutet, 25, returns to pro hockey after spending the last three and a half seasons playing for McGill University. A native of St-Redempteur, Quebec, he recorded 33 points (6g-27a) in 71 games at McGill and also served as an alternate captain during his senior year. He was selected to represent Team Canada this past February and helped them collect a bronze medal in Universiade Men's hockey at the International University Sports Federation Tournament.

He turned pro in 2013-14, signing with the American Hockey League's Texas Stars after completing his fifth season of junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He attended Dallas Stars rookie development camp and played for the Stars in the 2013 NHL Prospects Tournament. Boutet was assigned to the Idaho Steelheads and played in 25 games, tallying nine points (2g-7a). He decided to head to school in January and finished the season at McGill, playing in 11 games.

During his junior career, he played in 289 QMJHL games for Rouyn-Noranda, Rimouski and Gatineau and amassed 113 career points (28g-85a) and 299 penalty minutes. He had a career-best 44 points (12g-32a) in 64 games in 2012-13.