Rangers' sixth round pick in 2016 NHL Entry Draft signs entry-level contract
From the Rangers Official Press Release on Fontaine,
New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Gabriel Fontaine on an entry-level contract.
Fontaine, 19, skated in 59 regular season games with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) this season, registering 23 goals and 29 assists for 52 points, along with a plus-31 rating and 37 penalty minutes. He established QMJHL career-highs in several categories this season, including goals, assists, points, and plus/minus rating. Fontaine ranked third on the Huskies in goals, ranked fourth in points, and ranked fifth in plus/minus rating. He established single-game QMJHL career-highs with three goals and four points on Mar. 12 vs. Val-d'Or.
The 6-1, 191-pounder has skated in eight playoff games thus far with the Huskies this year, registering five goals and four assists for nine points, along with a plus-four rating and four penalty minutes. Fontaine leads the QMJHL in game-winning goals (three) and overtime goals (two) in the playoffs this year. He has tallied a point in each of the last five games, including a goal in each of the last four contests and he has recorded 117 points (47 goals, 70 assists) in 194 games.
In 2015-16, Fontaine recorded 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 20 playoff games to help the Huskies win the QMJHL Championship and advance to the Memorial Cup.
The Montreal, Quebec, native was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round (171st overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Gordie Clark said after the draft last June, "this guy really had his position down pat and enjoyed playing it. Did a great job with it. He's got above average speed, which is really good. Has a beautiful skating stride. You saw his size at 6'1 and he's just starting to fill out. He's very strong on his skates. I think we're asking now, whether it's third or fourth line in the NHL, we want a little more production out of them than in the past where we just wanted them to shut people down, and he's got that. He's played enough where he's been able to make some plays, he's scoring goals, he's good on faceoffs, so we have to take care of that position.
