Columbus Blue Jackets Prospect Expectations 18-19: Maxime Fortier
The Columbus Blue Jackets hope to continue the trend of solid junior free agent signings with Maxime Fortier.
Columbus Blue Jackets may have found a passed over player that can develop into a nice asset in Maxime Fortier. Last November the Jackets and Fortier agreed to a three year, entry level contract as Fortier finished his final season playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
The Quebecois winger spent his junior career with Halifax Mooseheads. The historic franchise has a track record of producing NHL quality talent. Fortier was passed over in the draft several times despite having successful seasons in Halifax and even gaining some solid rankings by scouting services.
But his scoring was at an elite enough level to warrant a draft pick. In the Q, where scoring is escpceially high, Fortier only scored 30 points in 63 games in his draft year. He did step it up to above a point per game average for his final three years in Nova Scotia.
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He also stepped into a leadership role over his time in Halifax as an assistant captain for two years and he wore the “C” in his final year.
Now Fortier is expected to make the jump to the AHL and help the Cleveland Monsters turn things around. Last year the Monsters were the third lowest scoring team in the American League, but will have an injection of young scoring talent on the roster with players like Fortier.
What will be Maxime’s biggest challenge is adapting to the AHL quickly while beating out a plethora of other first time professional players for ice time. Fortier is best suited for a top six role but those roles will be tough to get. With several returning players to the Monsters plus another six prospects that have more potential than Fortier, he will have to make an impression early to earn solid minutes.
Next. 2 CBJ Players in NHL '19 Top 50. dark
That being said, I think this will be a transition year for Fortier. Expectations should be for him to figure out how he can adapt to the pro game and start to show signs of progress by the end of the season. It will be a long season for Fortier but if he can grow into a potential top six skater for the 2019-2020 season, it will have been a good year for him in Cleveland.