Gianni Fairbrother

June 2023 – Fairbrother has been traded to the Colorado Avalanche. The rearguard missed the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign with a knee injury suffered in early October. The season prior, he managed just seven points in 25 games before an upper-body injury requiring surgery ended that season early as well. His 2019-20 WHL season was also ended early with an undisclosed injury, which is a clear theme in the 22-year-old’s career. He projects to be an AHL regular when healthy. He has 1 year remaining on his current contract and is unlikely to see NHL time before then so do not draft outside of the deepest leagues which count peripheral stats such as PIM and hits. Hayden Soboleski

March 2021 – Fairbrother had one assist in a three-game stint in the AHL before being sent down to the WHL. There he will be playing a leadership role as he was recently named a co-captain for the Everett Silvertips.  He did not look out of place in those AHL games as he looked poised with the puck and was solid defensively. Playing in junior will give him more of an opportunity to play big minutes and work on the offensive side of the game. Fairbrother signed his entry-level contract with the Canadiens which means that the club liked what they saw from the 20-year-old in his three pro games. Pablo Ruiz

January 2020 – With the WHL still on hold Fairbrother got invited to the Laval Rocket training camp. He started this season in the BCHL, but the AHL will provide for a more appropriate challenge given his size and strength. Pablo Ruiz

March 2020 – Fairbrother only played 37 games this season but showed some improvements offensively putting up 25 points. His strengths come away from the puck, he is solid defensively and is not afraid to throw a hit or drop the gloves. His play with the puck needs more fine tuning, in particular his playmaking and overall confidence while carrying the puck. He is expected to return to Everett next season as a 20-year-old. Pablo Ruiz