BULLDOGS SIGN CHAPUT, FORTIER AND LEVEILLE
Hamilton Bulldogs Press Release
09/18/2012 10:52 AM
MONTREAL, QC – Montreal Canadiens Executive Vice President and General Manager Marc Bergevin announced today that the Hamilton Bulldogs have signed Stefan Chaput, Olivier Fortier and Daultan Leveille to one-year, two-way American Hockey League / ECHL contracts for the 2012-2013 season. As per club policy, financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
Chaput, 24, has played 164 regular season games over five seasons in the AHL for the Providence Bruins, Syracuse Crunch, Charlotte Checkers and Albany River Rats registering 71 points (24 goals, 47 assists), 51 penalty minutes and a +11 rating. The native of Montreal, Quebec spent four seasons with the Lewiston MAINEiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League posting 168 points (71 goals, 97 assists), 145 penalty minutes and a +51 rating in 196 games. The 6’0”, 190-pound centre was second in scoring for the MAINEiacs in 2007-2008 with 69 points (33 goals, 36 assists) while also ranking in goals. Chaput was originally selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fifth round, 153rd overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Fortier, 23, has played 106 regular season games over parts of three seasons with the Hamilton Bulldogs registering 35 points (17 goals, 18 assists) and 46 penalty minutes. In 2010-2011, the 5’11”, 181-pound centre tied for third on the ‘Dogs in rookie scoring with 20 points while ranking second in goals scored by a rookie with nine. The native of Quebec City, Quebec played three seasons with the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL notching 161 points (65 goals, 96 assists) and 107 penalty minutes in 205 games. Fortier was originally selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round, 65th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Leveille, 22, played four seasons with Michigan State University of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association recording 69 points (26 goals, 43 assists) and 50 penalty minutes in 131 regular season games. In 2008-2009 as a rookie with Michigan State, Leveille was second in team scoring with 19 points (nine goals, eight assists) while also being an Honourable Mention selection to the CCHA All-Rookie Team. The native of St. Catharines, Ontario played two seasons with the St. Catharines Falcons of the Golden Horseshoe Jr. “B” Hockey League / Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League from 2006-2008. In 93 games, the 6’0”, 175-pound centre had 101 points (48 goals, 53 assists) and 38 penalty minutes. Leveille was originally selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round, 29th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
