Justin Fontaine (ice hockey)

Justin Carl Fontaine (born November 6, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Minnesota Wild.

For the racing driver, see Justin Fontaine (racing driver).

Justin Fontaine
Fontaine with the Houston Aeros in 2012
Born (1987-11-06) November 6, 1987
Bonnyville, Alberta, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 177 lb (80 kg; 12 st 9 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Minnesota Wild
HC Dinamo Minsk
Kunlun Red Star
Kölner Haie
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2011–2020
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  Canada West
World Junior A Challenge
Gold medal – first place 2006 Yorkton

Playing career

Fontaine attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where he played four seasons (2007–2011) of NCAA college hockey with the Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs.

On April 19, 2011, the Minnesota Wild signed Fontaine as a free agent to an entry-level contract.[1] In the 2013–14 season, Fontaine scored his first NHL goal on October 12, 2013 against Dan Ellis of the Dallas Stars 12 seconds into the first period – a Minnesota Wild record. Later the same night, fellow rookie teammate Mathew Dumba notched his first.[2] Fontaine scored three goals on January 9, 2014, against the Phoenix Coyotes for his first career NHL Hat Trick.

In his rookie season, Fontaine notched 13 goals, a good secondary scoring player for the Wild, although his 13 goals were impressive, Fontaine was sometimes a healthy scratch in favor of veteran players, when he did play however, he was mostly used as third or fourth liner. Fontaine finished his rookie season with 13 goals and 8 assists for 21 points. On July 29, 2014, Fontaine was re-signed to a 2-year contract. Fontaine played 9 playoff games, adding a goal and an assist against Colorado and Chicago.

Fontaine's playing time increased in his sophomore season, as he was constantly juggled from line to line. His role changes however, did not affect his play, as he was able to adapt rather quickly to playing on different lines and with different players. He was sometimes used as first or second liner when injuries came upon the Wild, and was credited for not changing his game when he was shuffled around. Fontaine showed signs of his old scoring self, but showed some of his playmaking skills as well. Fontaine's goals decreased to just 8, but he did however, notch 22 assists.

On March 27, 2014 in a game against the Calgary Flames Fontaine took a huge hit from Joe Colborne , the hit was deemed dirty by Wild players and Fontaine, because he did not have the puck at the time. Fontaine was able to stay in the game however, and on his very next shift, Fontaine setup Thomas Vanek's 20th goal to tie the game at 1, en route to a 4–2 Wild win.

After ending his 5-year association with the Minnesota Wild, as a free agent off-season, Fontaine was unable to attain an NHL contract. On September 8, 2016, he agreed to attend the Florida Panthers training camp on a professional try-out contract.[3]

On October 16, 2016, Fontaine signed a 1-year, 2-way deal with the New York Rangers and was immediately assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.[4] However, after collecting 30 points in 50 games with the Wolf Pack on March 1, 2017, Fontaine was traded by the Rangers to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Taylor Beck.[5]

As a free agent from the Oilers following the completion of his contract, Fontaine opted to pursue a career abroad in agreeing to a one-year deal with HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL on July 31, 2017.[6]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 Bonnyville Pontiacs AJHL 12 1 4 5 12 — — — — —
2005–06 Bonnyville Pontiacs AJHL 50 26 55 81 36 9 1 6 7 4
2006–07 Bonnyville Pontiacs AJHL 52 30 41 71 60 5 3 5 8 10
2007–08 U. of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 35 4 8 12 8 — — — — —
2008–09 U. of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 43 15 33 48 18 — — — — —
2009–10 U. of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 39 21 25 46 22 — — — — —
2010–11 U. of Minnesota-Duluth WCHA 42 22 36 58 42 — — — — —
2011–12 Houston Aeros AHL 73 16 39 55 32 4 0 0 0 0
2012–13 Houston Aeros AHL 64 23 33 56 18 5 3 5 8 4
2013–14 Minnesota Wild NHL 66 13 8 21 26 9 1 1 2 2
2014–15 Minnesota Wild NHL 71 9 22 31 12 6 1 1 2 2
2015–16 Minnesota Wild NHL 60 5 11 16 20 4 0 0 0 0
2016–17 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 50 9 21 30 20 — — — — —
2016–17 Bakersfield Condors AHL 15 2 9 11 6 — — — — —
2017–18 Dinamo Minsk KHL 52 13 17 30 33 — — — — —
2018–19 Kunlun Red Star KHL 548142216 —————
2019–20 Kölner Haie DEL 81458 —————
NHL totals 197 27 41 68 58 19 2 2 4 4

Awards and honours
Award Year
College
All-WCHA Second team 2008–09
All-WCHA Second team 2009–10
All-WCHA Second team 2010–11

References
  1. "Wild signs Justin Fontaine". Minnesota Wild. April 19, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  2. "Third line helps Wild cruise past Stars". National Hockey League. October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  3. "Panthers sign Veteran defender Adam Pardy and Forward Justin Fontaine to PTO's". Sun-Sentinel. September 8, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  4. "Rangers Sign Justin Fontaine". NHL.com. October 16, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  5. "Oilers depth add Fontaine looking to energize game". NHL.com. March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  6. "Justin Fontaine signs in Minsk" (in Russian). HC Dinamo Minsk. July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
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