Former Tampa Bay Lightning 2018 second-round pick (59th overall), Gabriel Fortier, has signed a two-year contract with Leksands in the SHL.
The 25-year-old had been playing with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL for the past five seasons, scoring 55 goals and 119 points in 285 games. Fortier hasn't surpassed the career-high of 14 goals and 35 points he set back in the 2021-22 season, and recently scored just 11 goals and 19 points in 50 games.
His role with the Crunch had been diminishing, and he was slipping further down the depth chart. Throughout his time with the Lightning organization, Fortier appeared in 11 NHL games, scoring just one goal. Fortier received a call-up to the NHL this season, but he did not skate in any games.
The Canadian winger will be joining a Leksands team which features several NHL prospects, including Toronto Maple Leafs' Victor Johansson and Tinus Luc Koblar, Detroit Red Wings' Anton Johansson and New York Islanders' Marcus Gidlof.
While still young, Fortier has struggled to make a significant impact in North American professional hockey and will hope that his two seasons overseas can help him rediscover his game and possibly earn an NHL contract soon.
Former Lightning AHL Forward Signs With Extension With Swiss Club
Former Tampa Bay Lightning forward Simon Ryfors has signed a three-year contract extension with Swiss club HC Davos.