Growing up in La Prairie, Quebec, Canada, and playing hockey for Baie-Comeau Drakkar of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QJMHL) and later the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), Maxime Fortunus knows what it is like to play in a hockey ‘hotbed’.  That’s what has made his transition to a professional hockey career in the southern United States that much different.

“It was weird, you go from a place that lives and breathes hockey 24/7, and then get to play in a market where people don’t really know hockey and have a different way of living.  It was a complete change.”

However, the 30-year-old Captain of the Texas Stars, the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, and fan favorite does not find this a bad thing.  “The mentalities are different but they are all great places.  It’s a goal for us players here to help people learn and enjoy the game.  I ask everyone I meet downtown or in the city to just come see one game.  And it happens a lot where they just fall in love with hockey. We have such a great fan base and that growth is what we need here.”

After a 2012-13 season that saw Texas eliminated from the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs by the Oklahoma City Barons, Fortunus is quick to point out that Texas’ playoff difficulties over the past few seasons aren’t a trend.  “I think it’s different every year.  My first year in Texas, we went all the way to the finals and I don’t think anyone thought at the beginning of the playoffs that we were going to be that close to a championship.  During the season, every team gets better and once you hit the playoffs teams get better nightly.  The ones who can maintain that win a championship.”

Entering this season as Texas’ all time leader as a defenseman in games played (205), goals (22), points (77) and power play goals (7), it is important to note that he won’t stop there.  “I want to be here and lead the team all the way.  We’ve come close in the past, but for us close isn’t good enough.”  Fortunus notes that the leadership role is something that isn’t limited to just one player on this Texas team.  “I’m fortunate to have some guys on the team who have been with Texas for almost 5 years now.  For me, it’s making sure everybody is ready and working hard as a 20 to 25 man unit, giving us a better chance at winning night in, and night out.”

As 2013-14 training camps prepare players for the season ahead, Fortunus’ leadership role to get everyone on the same page is amplified.  “Once you are back from NHL training camp, it happens a lot where guys are disappointed about not making the NHL team.  In order to give yourself a chance to get back up to the NHL you have to perform at the AHL level, and for me that is all I have on mind.”  

“This training camp was different for me, as I was in Dallas’ camp on a professional tryout.  I had to go there and really show myself on the ice to the new coaching staff and General Manager.  I was trying to impress, which is all I can do.  If they need me I will be ready.”

If called upon during the season for some NHL action, it won’t be the first time the Dallas Stars required his services.  In 2009-10, Fortunus played eight games in the NHL, something he remembers proudly.  “It was kind of crazy, you work all your life for that moment.  I don’t know how many calls I made to family, friends, and people like my old General Manager in Manitoba, Craig Heisinger.  He really helped me get to where I am which I am very thankful for.”

After all the excitement, it was time for Fortunus to focus and get down to business.  “My first NHL game we were playing Detroit, which was one of my favorite teams as a kid.  I tell people if there was a camera on the bench they’d see me with the biggest smile on my face as I couldn’t believe I was actually there.  You see all these guys (Datsyuk, Zetterberg) on TV, and then you actually have to prevent them from scoring.  It’s an experience I will never forget.”

Getting back to the NHL has been a priority of the defenseman’s, who has instilled in himself and others a constant sense of belief since his days in the QMJHL.  “Whatever happens you have to believe you can do it.  I went to junior as a 16-year old and the NHL seemed kind of far away.  I quickly realized that I was playing with guys who were getting called up to the NHL near the end of the season.  That’s when I realized that it wasn’t that far away.  If they can do it why can’t I?”

While rising through the hockey ranks, Fortunus does identify that there were doubters.  “I’ve had people tell me ‘Max, you’ll be a great AHL player, but you’ll never be an NHL player’ and for me that was big motivation.  I told myself I am going to make it.  It’s about collecting little bits of motivation along the way that is important.”

Fortunus has set his task ahead of this season, and it is one, if accomplished, that could eventually result in a return to the NHL ice for the defenseman.  “For me, it’s as easy as wanting to win.  I want to play in the NHL again one day, and winning the AHL Calder Cup is a step in the right direction.”  This desire is one that has allowed Fortunus move up the ranks of hockey, and that will continue to allow Fortunus to excel.

While his on-ice tasks lie ahead of him, Fortunus enters his second year as an elected member of the Professional Hockey Players’ Association’s AHL player Executive Committee.  “As I got older I learned what the PHPA does for the players.  When I was younger I didn’t really care, but once I was able to get involved as a Player Representative and attend the past few Player Rep meetings during the off-season, it really sent me in a different direction.  I realized how much the PHPA does for us and how involved we as players can be in every decision.“

While serving as the Stars’ PHPA Player Representative for the past number of seasons, Fortunus notes the importance of educating his teammates about the association.  “I try to inform the players I am in touch with everyday of what the PHPA does, especially for the younger guys.  I am trying to get them involved as much as I can so they can see the services we are paying for and how the PHPA is making sure our rights are upheld.  I think Larry and his staff have been doing a great job in supporting us and making sure everything goes smoothly with the League.“

In both his on-ice and off-ice roles, Maxime Fortunus looks optimistically towards the 2013-14 season, and the opportunities that lie ahead.