Fournier returns to Wichita

WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks and American Hockey League's San Jose Barracuda, announced the signing of veteran forward Stefan Fournier for the 2022-23 season.

Fournier, 30, returns to Wichita for his fifth season and his 10th year as a pro. He began last season overseas with HK Dukla Michalovce in Slovakia, tallying two goals in 15 games to go along with 118 penalty minutes. He returned to the Thunder last January and registered 20 points (9g-11a) in 26 games. 

After having a career year in 2019-20 where he recorded 42 points (24g-18a), he followed that up with another 40-point performance in 2020-21, posting 42 points (22g-22a) in 55 games. 

A native of Dorval, Quebec, Fournier was originally acquired in a trade in 2018-19 from the Orlando Solar Bears. Fournier brings 251 games of ECHL experience to go along with 142 games of AHL experience back to Wichita. 

Prior to turning pro, Fournier played four seasons of junior hockey with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Halifax Mooseheads, Victoriaville Tigres, and Lewiston MAINEiacs. He tallied 212 points (101g-111a) and 337 penalty minutes in 289 games. During his final year with Halifax in 2012-13, he captained the Mooseheads to the Presidents Cup title and the Memorial Cup championship. He led the QMJHL in playoff scoring with 16 goals that season.