Dave Fortier
Encyclopedia
David Edward Fortier is a retired professional ice hockey
player who played in the National Hockey League
and the World Hockey Association
during the 1970s.
in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft
. He spent most of the next three seasons in the Central Hockey League, earning a 23-game callup to the Maple Leafs in 1972–73 during which he scored his first NHL goal and added 4 assists.
Fortier was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers
in 1974, but was claimed by the New York Islanders
in the intra-league draft a few weeks later. He emerged as a regular for the Islanders in 1974–75, recording 6 goals and 18 points in 65 games, as well as a solid +14 rating. In the playoffs, he was a member of the Islander team which memorably came back from a 3–0 series deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins
and reach the Stanley Cup
semi-finals.
In 1975–76, Fortier saw his icetime significantly reduced, and he recorded just 2 assists in 59 games for the Islanders. Prior to the 1976–77 campaign, he was sold to the Vancouver Canucks. He spent one season in Vancouver as a solid depth defender, recording 4 points and 125 penalty minutes in 58 games.
For the 1977–78 season, Fortier jumped to the World Hockey Association
to sign with the Indianapolis Racers
. With the Racers, he recorded 1 goal and 15 assists for 16 points in 54 games. However, he found himself in the minors the following season, and retired from the sport in 1979.
During his career, Fortier appeared in 205 NHL games, scoring 8 goals and 21 assists for 29 points along with 335 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 20 playoff games, recording 2 assists and 33 penalty minutes.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
and the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
during the 1970s.
Playing career
A hard-nosed, physical defender, Fortier was selected 23rd overall by the Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft
1971 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1971 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 10, 1971 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. He spent most of the next three seasons in the Central Hockey League, earning a 23-game callup to the Maple Leafs in 1972–73 during which he scored his first NHL goal and added 4 assists.
Fortier was dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in 1974, but was claimed by the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the intra-league draft a few weeks later. He emerged as a regular for the Islanders in 1974–75, recording 6 goals and 18 points in 65 games, as well as a solid +14 rating. In the playoffs, he was a member of the Islander team which memorably came back from a 3–0 series deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
and reach the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
semi-finals.
In 1975–76, Fortier saw his icetime significantly reduced, and he recorded just 2 assists in 59 games for the Islanders. Prior to the 1976–77 campaign, he was sold to the Vancouver Canucks. He spent one season in Vancouver as a solid depth defender, recording 4 points and 125 penalty minutes in 58 games.
For the 1977–78 season, Fortier jumped to the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
to sign with the Indianapolis Racers
Indianapolis Racers
The Indianapolis Racers were a franchise in the former World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1978. They competed in five seasons, folding 25 games into the 1978–79 season. They played at Market Square Arena...
. With the Racers, he recorded 1 goal and 15 assists for 16 points in 54 games. However, he found himself in the minors the following season, and retired from the sport in 1979.
During his career, Fortier appeared in 205 NHL games, scoring 8 goals and 21 assists for 29 points along with 335 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 20 playoff games, recording 2 assists and 33 penalty minutes.