The Stockton Thunder (@StocktonThunder), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League, has acquired the ECHL contract rights to rookie defenseman Mathieu Gagnon from the Fort Wayne Komets in exchange for future considerations, head coach and director of hockey operations Rich Kromm announced today.
Gagnon, 20, made his ECHL debut in Fort Wayne last season, collecting an assist and 22 penalty minutes in six games.
Gagnon comes off a four year career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with Shawinigan and Victoriaville, where he skated in 121 career games, notching 19 points (4g-15a), a +17 rating and 228 penalty minutes. He helped guide Shawinigan to a Memorial Cup title in 2011-12 with seven points in 42 games and additionally skated in six playoff games.
The 6-foot-2, 216 pound defenseman also skated with Whitecourt of the Alberta Junior Hockey League last season where he served as an alternate captain, picking up 19 points and 259 penalty minutes in 35 games.
Gagnon agreed to terms on a minor league two-way (AHL/ECHL) contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Aug. 2 of this year. Bridgeport is the AHL affiliate of the Thunder and Islanders.
