Maxime Fortunus is back with the Texas Stars on a two-year AHL contract.
Fortunus, the Stars’ captain, comes back to the club after spending the last four seasons in Cedar Park, and the last eight seasons in the AHL.
At 29, Fortunus is an AHL veteran of 568 games, in which the blue liner has put up 49 goals and 131 assists, adding another 27 points (6-21) in 94 playoff games. Through his AHL career, Fortunus has suited up for the Houston Aeros, Manitoba Moose, and the Stars, and got his first taste of the NHL in 2008-09 when he suited up for eight games with the Dallas Stars.
Stephen over at 100DegreeHockey wrote about the signing, and had this to say:
The term of the deal leads me to believe that the Stars are investing in Fortunus’s leadership abilities following the success of last season under his captaincy. Two year deals are rare in the AHL mostly due to the constantly shifting rosters. Texas has had only two in its history, both captains. Landon Wilson signed a two year deal but only played one season due to injuries.
Fortunus joins Luke Gazdic, Francis Wathier, Travis Morin and Colton Sceviour as first-year Stars to remain with the club through its fifth season.
Texas is coming off of a loss in the Western Conference semi-finals last season, and Fortunus helped the team to the Calder Cup Final in 2009-10, Texas’ first season in the league.
American Hockey Blog 