Silvertips Announce Return of Gianni Fairbrother, Signed 3-Year Contract with Montreal (NHL)
March 2, 2021 - Western Hockey League (WHL) - Everett Silvertips News Release
EVERETT, WA - The Everett Silvertips, proud seven-time U.S. Division champion and two time Western Conference champion of the Western Hockey League, announced today that the Montreal Canadiens have returned defenseman Gianni Fairbrother to the club from the Laval Rocket (AHL), and have signed Fairbrother to a three-year, entry level National Hockey League contract. Fairbrother's agreement is active starting in the 2021-22 season, and returns to downtown Everett as co-captain for the 24-game shortened WHL schedule.
Fairbrother, 20, returns to the Silvertips after earning 25 points (5g-20a) in 37 games last season, recovering after missing the final 23 games of the 2019-20 pandemic shortened regular season due to injury. He earned a quartet of multi point games including a three point (2g-2a) outing against the Saskatoon Blades on Nov. 22 and fired four shots on net or more during nine games last season.
He earned an assist in his professional debut with Laval on Feb. 19 vs. Belleville and suited up in three AHL games with the Rocket, posting a +2 rating and eight shots on net.
The 6-foot-1, 200 pound defenseman was selected originally by Montreal in the third round (77th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft and for his WHL career has 66 points (17g-49a), a +29 rating, a pair of shorthanded goals, and 151 penalty minutes in 137 games, all with the Silvertips. Fairbrother has helped the Silvertips win the U.S. Division title twice in the last three seasons, was a member of the 2017-18 Western Conference championship squad, and for his career has posted eight points (1g-7a) and a +11 rating in 35 WHL Playoff games. He notched career highs in points (36), goals (10) and assists (26) in 64 games in 2018-19.
He is now one of six Silvertips player to sign a three-year, NHL entry level contract over the last 12 months, joining Bryce Kindopp (Anaheim), Gage Goncalves (Tampa Bay), Wyatte Wylie (Philadelphia), Jake Christiansen (Columbus), and Dustin Wolf (Calgary).
The Silvertips will open the 2020-21 regular season on Saturday, Mar. 20 against the Spokane Chiefs at 6:05 p.m. at Angel of the Winds Arena. Streamed opening night coverage will be offered for free via WHL Live, with full season packages and single-day passes available at https://watch.chl.ca/.
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