Preds Sign Defenseman Brandon Fortunato to Two-Year, Entry-Level Deal

Nashville, Tenn. (April 5, 2019) - Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Friday that the team has signed defenseman Brandon Fortunato to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Fortunato, 22 (6/7/96), had a career-high 23 assists and 28 points in 26 games for Quinnipiac University this season, his senior campaign. Despite missing Quinnipiac's final 12 games of the season due to injury, he was second on his team in assists, tied for third in plus-minus (+15) and fourth in points. It was a 20-point improvement from his junior season - his second with the Bobcats - when he had eight points (5g-3a) in 37 contests. He ended his 2018-19 season with points in six straight games (3g-7a) and posted a five-point performance (5a) on Oct. 27 vs. American International, tied for the second-most in a game in Quinnipiac history. Fortunato began his NCAA career with Boston University in 2014-15 and had 40 points (6g-34a) in 79 games with the Terriers before transferring to Quinnipiac following his sophomore season.

Never drafted, Fortunato earned a bronze medal with the 2016 World Junior Championship with the United States, tallying an assist in seven games. He also won gold with the U.S. at the 2014 Under-18 World Championship and picked up a bronze in 2013 at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. The North Hills, N.Y., native skated for the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2012-14 and led team defensemen in scoring in both seasons, collecting 56 points (3g-53a) in 110 games.
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