Éric Fichaud

Éric Joseph Fichaud (born November 4, 1975) is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender.  He was selected in the first round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, 16th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Junior career
Fichaud played net for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 1994, he led his team to the Memorial Cup, winning a host of awards, including the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as top goaltender and playoff MVP awards. A classic butterfly goaltender in the Patrick Roy mold, Fichaud looked to be a future National Hockey League starting netminder.

Professional career
Shortly after being drafted, Fichaud was traded to the New York Islanders for Benoît Hogue, a 1995 3rd round pick (Ryan Pepperall) and a 1996 5th round pick (Brandon Sugden), without ever playing a game for Toronto. Fichaud never lived up to the lofty expectations his fantastic junior career had led to, bouncing between the minor leagues and the NHL.  Shoulder injuries played a key role, and despite Fichaud's best efforts, he was unable to recapture his previous form.  Eventually, Fichaud settled into the role as the starting goalie for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs.

External links

Category:1975 births
Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders
Category:Carolina Hurricanes players
Category:Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL) players
Category:Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) players
Category:Ice hockey people from Quebec
Category:Krefeld Pinguine players
Category:Living people
Category:Manitoba Moose players
Category:Milwaukee Admirals (IHL) players
Category:Montreal Canadiens players
Category:Nashville Predators players
Category:National Hockey League first round draft picks
Category:New York Islanders players
Category:People from Anjou, Quebec
Category:Quebec Citadelles players
Category:Quebec RadioX players
Category:Sportspeople from Montreal
Category:Toronto Maple Leafs draft picks
Category:Utah Grizzlies (IHL) players
Category:Worcester IceCats players
Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in Germany
Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States