The Estevan Bruins lineup will be bolstered by an accomplished local product for the start of the 2020-21 season.
The club announced Friday that forward Cole Fonstad has signed with the club.
Fonstad split last season with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders and Everett Silvertips, where he tallied 74 points (15 goals, 59 assists) in 60 games played.
Fonstad finished tied for third in assists and tied for 12th in points in the WHL last season.
In 2018-19, Fonstad was a key fixture of the Prince Albert Raiders' Western Hockey League championship team and added a goal and two assists in three games at the Memorial Cup national major junior hockey championship.
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He re-entered the 2020 draft when he didn’t sign with Montreal, but wasn’t selected.
Fonstad grew up playing his minor hockey in Estevan. He played one game for the Bruins as a midget AAA call-up in 2015-16, and scored a goal in his first shift of the game.
As per the new agreement between the WHL and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Fonstad will be eligible to play with the Bruins until Dec. 20. At that time, WHL teams will recall their players for the start of their season and Fonstad will return to Everett for the remainder of the year.
"I'm very excited to join the Estevan Bruins for the start of the season. Not many guys get to experience playing junior hockey in their hometown and I'm really looking forward to it. I hope we can play in front of all the fans again soon,” said Fonstad
"We are very happy to sign Cole for the first part of our season in Estevan. Cole is a former NHL Draft pick for the Montreal Canadiens and a proven winner and scorer at the WHL level. When we found out that WHL players were eligible until Christmas, it was a no-brainer to add Cole to our team. He will not only bring high-end skill and leadership, but will help our young players grow and develop while he's here so they can step into a larger role after Cole returns to Everett. This will make us a better team both in the short term and long term,” said Bruins head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic.
