CEDAR PARK, Texas — Let’s be honest. Almost nobody goes to a hockey game (or any other sporting event for that matter) to see defense. The aggressive nature of most fans dictates pummeling opponents into submission. But without good defense, especially in hockey, it’s the other team that usually does the pummeling.
The Texas Stars have been extremely successful in their inaugural year in the AHL. And while they have shown they can put the puck in the net when they need to, they rely primarily on defense and goaltending. That approach has kept them at, or near, the top of the league standings all year.
Maxime Fortunus
“Sometimes you might not notice him in a game,” said Stars assistant coach Paul Jerrard. “But that’s not always a bad thing because he’s always in position and does his job well.”
Like most professional hockey players, Fortunus started playing at a very young age.
“I was three, and me and my brother played together,” Fortunus said. “I also played soccer growing up and when I got to the age where you have to decide where you want to go, I decided to play hockey.”
Good choice! After going through the progression of playing major junior hockey and professional hockey in the ECHL and AHL, Fortunus was recently called up to the parent Dallas Stars. While he didn’t see game action and was soon returned to the Texas Stars, the opportunity alone was exciting.
“It was an unbelievable feeling,” Fortunus said. “A part of a dream that’s becoming a reality. Just knowing they’re thinking about me is great and I just hope I get the call and get the chance to play (in the NHL).”
Fortunus established the goal of playing in the NHL a long time ago.
“My first professional year was in Louisiana (with the Ice Gators) and I played a little with the Houston Aeros,” Fortunus said. “I wanted to play in the AHL because my goal has always been to play in the NHL. I played in Manitoba (with the Moose) for four years. They gave me the opportunity to make my name in the league and after my third year, I got to sign my first contract with Dallas. It was really exciting.”
With Dallas Stars’ signees assigned all over the U.S. in the ECHL and AHL, it was difficult for the parent team to know how their up and coming players would integrate themselves into the Stars’ system. They solved that problem by establishing the Texas Stars and bringing those players, including Fortunus, together under one roof where they have been extremely successful.
“I played in Manitoba for one year under contract to Dallas,” Fortunus said. “Then they put a team in Austin and that’s how I got here. Playing in Texas has been great. It’s different, especially for a little guy from Canada. The mentality here is different with hockey not being the biggest sport. You’re trying to sell the game. We’ve had great fans since the beginning of the year and it’s only going to get better.”
His peers and coaches all agree on one thing. He is consistent, a hard worker and has great character.
“Consistency is his biggest asset,” Jerrard said. “He’s a very dependable player. You know what he’s going to do night in and night out – no surprises.”
Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan agreed.
“His game is consistent because he’s consistent in everything he does,” Gulutzan said. “There aren’t a lot of athletes like that. You can attribute that to his character. He is a high character person with an extremely good work ethic. He’s mentally sharp and physically sharp and a great guy to have on the team and in the locker room.”
Fortunus attributes his solid work ethic to his parents.
“My parents have always been the ones,” Fortunus said. “They never pushed me. They said ‘You don’t have to do it, but if you do it, do it right. Make sure you work hard every day.’ Of course you have hockey role models, but that’s not as important as family role models. My dad is a guy who works hard. Everything he does has to be right and that’s where I got the attitude that everything I do out on the ice I have to do right.”
Fortunus has proven to be one of the top defenders in the league. He will jump into the play offensively once in a while and score a goal, but offense just doesn’t seem to be his thing.
“I tried playing forward when I was younger,” Fortunus said. “But I always ended up being the first one back to my goal so the coaches said why don’t you just stay there?”
Fortunus took their advice and is just a step away from his goal of going to the NHL.
Fortunus defends his goal
So fans at Stars games would be advised to take their eyes off the high-scoring forwards for a shift or two and watch No. 18. Watch how he blocks the passing and shooting lanes. Seldom will he be out of position, and one day fans might get the opportunity to watch him on TV in a Dallas Stars’ uniform.
“No question,” Gulutzan said. “I think he has impressed people in Dallas and he has the opportunity. You just have to wait until the time is right.”
Contact the writer/photographer mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com
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