Montreal Canadiens: Gianni Fairbrother Signs Entry Level Contract
Montreal Canadiens prospect Gianni Fairbrother has signed his entry level contract with the organization. The deal was announced earlier today, just as the prospect is preparing to head back to the WHL.
Fairborther’s Western Hockey League season has not yet started, but the Everett Silvertips defender was re-assigned to his Junior club earlier today. They are scheduled to begin their season on March 20.
The WHL season is underway for some teams, but the Silvertips, along with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Portland Winterhawks, Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs won’t be starting their season for another few weeks. The five USA based teams are slated to play a 24 game schedule that ends in early May.
Fairborhter was able to suit up for three AHL games while waiting for the WHL season to begin. He made the most of it, performing well and showing great skating as well as a penchant for jumping into the rush while not sacrificing too much defensively. The 20 year old looked very poised while playing for the Laval Rocket.
The contract begins next season and runs through the 2023-24 campaign with a cap hit of $848,333 if Fairbrother is in the NHL at any point in the next three years. He will earn a salary of $70,000 if he is playing for the Laval Rocket.
Fairbrother was a third round pick of the Canadiens in 2019. The 6’1″ and 200 pound left defenceman scored 25 points in 37 games for the Silvertips last season.
Fairbrother was injured halfway through last season and didn’t play another game after January 12th. He actually suited up for eight BCHL games earlier this season with the Nanaimo Clippers. He was held scoreless for three contests and then scored five points in his final five games before heading to Laval Rocket training camp.
Next. 3 Lineup Tweaks Ducharme Needs To Make Now. dark
Fairbrother proved worthy of an entry-level contract with his strong play for the Rocket after coming back from injury. He should be among the top scoring defencemen in the WHL this season, and will be a Rocket defender to keep an eye on next season.