The Kitmart Dundee Stars are delighted to announce the signing of Canadian forward, Kevin Dufour.
The 27-year old joins from the Manchester Monarchs and head coach, Omar Pacha was pleased to complete his squad with a player who has explosive speed and natural finishing ability.
The Quebec native started last season with the Indy Fuel of the East Coast Hockey League and from 49 games, he netted 19 goals and assisted on 15 more.
In February he was traded to the Monarchs, where former Stars assistant coach, Doug Christiansen was the general manager and from 12 appearances, he posted five goals and two assists.
The left winger began his ECHL tenure with the South Carolina Stingrays at the tail end of the 2016-17 campaign before signing with the Brampton Beast for the following season and after 26 games, Kevin was traded to the Wichita Thunder, where he put up 30 points in 43 games.
Before going pro in the ECHL, Dufour spent four years with Bowling Green State University in the NCAA and from 154 matches, he scored 54 goals and set-up another 33 for 87 points.
The six-foot forward was also part of a successful side during his junior years, as he was part of the Champlain St-Lawrence Lions team that lifted back-to-back QCHL titles in 2011 and 2012.
In his second year with the Lions, Dufour led his side in scoring and was second in the league points table with 35 goals and 34 assists for 69 points from just 35 games, while also recording the tied-second best all-time number of goals scored in a QCHL season.
After completing his roster for 2019/20 Omar Pacha said:
“I really like his speed, his explosiveness and the way he battles and he works on the ice.
“He is a player that goes to the dirty areas and he has a great shot on him and last season he scored 24 goals in the regular season and he will fit in perfectly to our structure.
“Kevin was another guy we had to be patient on and it finally came through and during the off-season, a lot of teams had interest in him but we were the team that got him and we are very happy.
“He is a guy that I know will do well in his first year here because he works hard, does the extra little things in practice and he keeps wanting to get better.
“We are getting a guy in his prime too and he had a great reference from Mike Sullivan.
“We have had to be patient on for the last few guys but we have got them now and I couldn’t be happier.”
After signing up with the Dundee Stars for the coming season Kevin Dufour added:
“I’m really excited, it will be my first year playing ice hockey in Europe”
“Omar talked about the programme and the identity of the team and how things were done there”
“Mike Sullivan, a former team mate of mine from college. Told me it is great place to come and a great place to start a pro career in Europe”
“The ECHL is good league, but with my age and the fact I have just married. I thought the best fit would be a move to Dundee. The ECHL helped me to develop my game and improve”
“It’s exciting to try and perform in a league that is improving year on year. More and more people are looking at the EIHL and understanding how good it is”
“Personally I have always made playoffs in my career, everyone wants to win and be there. If we stick to the process, we will make the playoff’s”
“The community aspect of the club is great, as an only child, I have that family mindset and enjoy meeting the fans and kids in schools.”
“I’m a hardworking offensive player, I can skate well and take the puck to the net. I will hopefully score some goals and help the team”
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Kevin is our 19th signing of the summer and completes the Stars roster for season 2019/20, he will play alongside; Drydn Dow, Jordan Cownie, Craig Garrigan, Matt Marquardt, Kris Inglis, Shawn Boutin, Alex Leclerc, Justin Maylan, Duncan Speirs, Anthony Beauregard, Brett Stovin, Reilly O’Connor, Colton Kroeker, Craig Gans, Jagger Dirk, Egils Kalns, Elgin Pearce and Brython Preece
Dufour will wear #10 for Dundee this year.
To view Kevin’s career stats on Elite Prospects click HERE.
