Fournier Likes What He Sees
-By Willy Palov Sports Reporter
The Chronicle Herald

Stefan Fournier may be a newcomer in Halifax but he’s got more QMJHL experience than anyone on the Mooseheads.

The 20-year-old right-winger is entering his fifth season in the league and is hoping to go out on top. He made it to the third round with the Lewiston Maineiacs in 2011 but sees potential for even more in Halifax.

“I started in Bathurst, then it was Lewiston for two years,” said Fournier, who was the Titan’s first-round pick (17th overall) in 2008. “After Lewiston (folded), I got picked up in Victoriaville and I was there for a year. Now I’m here.

“We were probably in the same situation in Lewiston my last year as these guys were here last year. We surprised a lot of people and beat Montreal to get to the third round. There’s nothing better than when nobody really expects you to keep playing but you make it far like that in the playoffs. I got a lot of experience from that.

“I think last year this team surprised a lot of people. When I heard I got traded here after a bit of a disappointing playoff run in Victo, I was really excited.”

Tuesday was Fournier’s skate with his new team and he liked what he saw. He said he knew before he came to Halifax how deep the line-up was but seeing it in person for the first time reminded him of what the 2012-13 season might hold

“Obviously everyone’s expectations are set high but we can’t practise or play as if that’s who we’re going to be. You have to work for it,” he said. “You have to play your hardest every day because sometimes bounces just don’t go your way. But sometimes you can make them bounce your way if you work hard.”

Although he is new to the team, Fournier hopes to add some leadership in Halifax. He doesn’t expect to come in and take over from the guys who have been with the team for a few years already but knows he can add a veteran presence.

“I like to lead more by the experience,” Fournier said. “I’ve been there and I’ve seen it. I’ve played over 200 games in the league. I don’t have a magic formula to say this is how you win or this doesn’t work. But I think a lot of it has to do with what the inside of the dressing room is like and how the boys get along. Obviously we already have a talented team here so, at the end of the day, it will really come down to (chemistry). Come playoff time, everyone’s going to want to stick around and play as long as they can.”

And from a personal standpoint, Fournier knows how fortunate he is to be in Halifax for his final year of junior. The Mooseheads acquired him from the Tigres in June for third- and eighth-round picks with the plan to put him on the top line with rising stars Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin.

“It’s exciting,” said the six-foot-three, 200-pound winger, who had a career high 65 points in 64 games with the Tigres last year. “I played on the top two lines for the last three years between Lewiston and Victoriaville. But it’s not every day you come somewhere and you get to play with someone the calibre of Nathan MacKinnon.

“I had 33 goals last year, usually in my office in front of the net. But I try to bring more of a power forward type game and try to defend my teammates. I have a job and I try to do what I need to do on the ice to get that done.”

(wpalov@herald.ca)