Report: Dillon Fournier Retiring
Dillon Fournier’s agent has told Scott Powers at The Athletic that his client is retiring because of chronic shoulder injuries.
After being selected in the second round (#48) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Fournier posted 24 points in 59 games with Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL during the 2012-13 season. He had 13 goals and 19 assists in only 36 games during the 2013-14 season before suffering his initial shoulder surgery. He has required multiple surgeries since, and has been limited to only 13 games over the last two seasons combined.
Fournier, 22, appeared in only 23 games with Rockford between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
From the Powers piece:
“It’s one of those things,” [Fournier’s agent Jim] Nice said of Fournier. “‘Am I going to keep banging around? For what purpose? To play in the East Coast League?’ I think he just had enough mentally is the way to put it. ‘I’m a young man. I have my whole life ahead of me. If I have another surgery, what if it happens again? I want to pick up my future kids and toss them in the air.’ It wasn’t easy obviously. It’s all he’s ever known in life.”
Good perspective, Good luck Dillon!
Sad ending for this guy ..very talented but always hurt …have a nice life …you are right …getting healthy is more important then playing hockey…
I met this young man last summer at a team get together. He is pure class. Wish him well.
Have a good future Dillon and when you have those kids I know you’ll be a great dad!
young to have to call it quits. clearly wiser than his years to see the sense of such a tough decision.
best of luck with your future endeavors, especially raising a family!
No shame in this move. It takes more courage to realize it is time to retire than it does to play this game.
Looked like a pretty good prospect but not too many make it and if you don’t it’s a tough career choice. Probably a very smart move for the young man.
Sounds like a good kid with a good head on his shoulders. A young guy that’s played at a high level should also be able to stay affiliated with the game if he so chooses, even if it is just coaching his future kids. Best of luck to him.