Éric Joseph Fichaud (born November 4, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played 95 games in the National Hockey League with four teams between 1996 and 2000. He was selected in the first round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, 16th overall, by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Éric Fichaud
Fichaud in 2010
Born (1975-11-04) November 4, 1975 (age 49)
Anjou, Quebec, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 171 lb (78 kg; 12 st 3 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left
Played for New York Islanders
Nashville Predators
Carolina Hurricanes
Montreal Canadiens
Krefeld Pinguine
NHL draft 16th overall, 1994
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 1995–2008

Junior career

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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

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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.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
1991–92 Montreal-Bourassa Canadiens QMAAA 28 12 15 1 1678 110 0 3.95 9 5 4 567 32 0 3.39
1992–93 Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL 43 18 13 1 2039 149 0 4.38 .864
1993–94 Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL 63 37 21 3 3493 192 4 3.30 .899 26 16 10 1560 86 1 3.31 .892
1993–94 Chicoutimi Sagueneens M-Cup 4 2 2 240 10 1 2.50
1994–95 Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL 46 21 19 4 2637 151 4 3.44 .898 7 2 5 428 20 0 2.80 .909
1995–96 New York Islanders NHL 24 7 12 2 1234 68 1 3.31 .897
1995–96 Worcester IceCats AHL 34 13 15 6 1989 97 1 2.93 .913 2 1 1 127 7 0 3.30 .883
1996–97 New York Islanders NHL 34 9 14 4 1760 91 0 3.10 .899
1997–98 New York Islanders NHL 17 3 8 3 807 40 0 2.97 .905
1997–98 Utah Grizzlies IHL 1 0 0 0 40 3 0 4.45 .870
1998–99 Nashville Predators NHL 9 0 6 0 448 24 0 3.22 .895
1998–99 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 8 5 2 1 480 25 0 3.13 .905
1999–00 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 9 3 5 1 490 24 1 2.94 .883
1999–00 Quebec Citadelles AHL 6 4 1 1 368 17 0 2.77 .910 3 0 3 177 10 0 3.39 .921
2000–01 Montreal Canadiens NHL 2 0 2 0 62 4 0 3.89 .875
2000–01 Quebec Citadelles AHL 42 19 19 2 2441 127 1 3.12 .913 2 0 1 98 3 0 1.84 .955
2001–02 Manitoba Moose AHL 5 2 3 0 279 13 1 2.80 .903
2001–02 Krefeld Pinguine DEL 9 401 11 0 1.65 .944 3 197 8 0 2.44 .922
2002–03 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 27 14 7 3 1447 55 4 2.28 .925 8 5 3 472 17 0 2.16 .917
2003–04 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 31 16 11 3 1836 70 1 2.29 .917
2004–05 Radio X de Quebec LNAH 9 6 2 0 505 19 2.26 .924 8 8 0 480 9 1.13
2005–06 Radio X de Quebec LNAH 41
2006–07 Radio X de Quebec LNAH 44
2007–08 CRS Express de Saint-Georges LNAH 34
NHL totals 95 22 47 10 4799 251 2 3.14 .897


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Preceded by Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
1994
Succeeded by