Gabriel Fortier Bio
Gabriel Fortier is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who most recently signed with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Born on February 6, 2000, in Lachine, Quebec, he plays primarily as a left wing and began his professional career in 2019. Fortier was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and spent several seasons within the Lightning organization before moving to Sweden in 2025.
Standing 178 centimeters tall and weighing 79 kilograms, Fortier developed through the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before reaching the National Hockey League. He is recognized for his two-way play and has built a reputation as a reliable depth forward capable of contributing at multiple levels of professional hockey.
Early Life and Background
Gabriel Fortier was born on February 6, 2000, in Lachine, Quebec, a borough of Montreal situated along the Saint Lawrence River. Like many young athletes in the province, he grew up surrounded by hockey culture, and the region’s deep tradition of producing professional players shaped his early development. Lachine and the greater Montreal area have long served as fertile ground for talent that progresses through minor hockey programs into the Canadian Hockey League.
Fortier progressed through local youth hockey ranks in Quebec, where he built the foundational skills that would later define his playing style. His size, skating, and hockey sense drew the attention of major junior scouts during his mid-teens, setting the stage for his entry into one of Canada’s top development leagues.
Path to Hockey
Fortier’s trajectory toward professional hockey accelerated in 2016, when he was selected fourth overall by the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Entry Draft. The QMJHL is one of three major junior leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League, and a top-five selection signalled that he was viewed as a high-end prospect. With the Drakkar, Fortier quickly established himself as a productive offensive player and earned increased responsibility.
During his draft year with Baie-Comeau, Fortier recorded 26 goals and 33 assists, totals that caught the attention of National Hockey League scouts. On June 23, 2018, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him with the 59th overall pick in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. By the time he finished his QMJHL career with the Drakkar, he had accumulated 191 points over 195 games and had served as team captain, demonstrating both his production and his leadership qualities.
Gabriel Fortier Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Fortier began his major junior career with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar in 2016 and quickly became one of the team’s most important players. Over parts of four seasons with the Drakkar, he developed into a complete forward, contributing offensively while taking on leadership responsibilities. He was named team captain prior to being traded, a sign of the respect he had earned from coaches and teammates.
On January 2, 2020, the Drakkar traded Fortier to the Moncton Wildcats, also of the QMJHL, where he finished his major junior career. His time in the QMJHL prepared him for the professional ranks, combining high-level competition with the daily demands of a top junior schedule.
Tampa Bay Lightning Organization (2021–2025)
After his junior career, Fortier joined the Tampa Bay Lightning organization and spent the next several seasons moving between the American Hockey League affiliate and the NHL roster. On November 29, 2021, he was recalled by the Lightning after captain Steven Stamkos was unable to play for personal reasons. The following night, on November 30, 2021, Fortier made his National Hockey League debut against the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center, marking the realization of a long-held professional goal.
On June 21, 2023, the Lightning re-signed Fortier to a one-year, two-way contract, reflecting the organization’s continued belief in his development. Throughout his time in the Lightning system, he provided depth scoring and two-way play, serving as a reliable option at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Leksands IF Era (2025–Present)
After five seasons within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, Fortier opted to begin a new chapter in Europe. On July 15, 2025, he signed a one-year contract with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League. The move to Sweden represented his first experience playing professional hockey outside of North America and offered him a prominent role with a historic SHL franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fortier is recognized for his skating, work ethic, and two-way responsibility. He combines a compact frame with strong positioning, allowing him to be effective on the forecheck and in defensive zone coverage. His captaincy with the Drakkar highlighted the leadership qualities he brings to a locker room, and his willingness to play a responsible, detail-oriented game has made him a trusted depth forward at every level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Fortier’s most significant milestone came on November 30, 2021, when he made his NHL debut with the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues. Reaching the NHL after being selected 59th overall in 2018 validated the developmental path he had taken through the QMJHL. His 2018 draft class selection by the Lightning, his captaincy with the Drakkar, and his subsequent transition to European hockey with Leksands IF in 2025 round out the defining moments of his career to this point.
Gabriel Fortier Career Wins
Gabriel Fortier’s career has been defined more by consistent contribution and steady progression than by headline-grabbing trophy totals. He has produced reliably at the junior, American Hockey League, and NHL levels, and his move to Sweden’s top professional league reflects an ongoing commitment to competing at the highest stages available to him.
QMJHL Highlights
Across his time with the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and the Moncton Wildcats, Fortier posted strong production totals. With the Drakkar, he finished his career having scored 191 points over 195 games and was named team captain. His draft-year totals of 26 goals and 33 assists with Baie-Comeau were central to his selection by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Gabriel Fortier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Gabriel Fortier was raised in Lachine, Quebec, in a region with deep roots in Canadian hockey. Public information about his immediate family is limited, and details regarding his parents and any siblings are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Gabriel Fortier keeps much of his personal life private. Publicly available information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not confirmed. As of 2025, he resides in Sweden while playing for Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League.
2025 Season Performance
Gabriel Fortier’s 2025 storyline centers on his transition to the Swedish Hockey League with Leksands IF, where he signed a one-year contract on July 15, 2025. After spending five seasons within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, the move marks his first opportunity to play top-level professional hockey in Europe. Adjusting to the larger ice surface and the different style of play common in the SHL represents one of the central challenges of his season.
For Leksands IF, Fortier is expected to provide offensive skill, two-way play, and leadership drawn from his experience as a former QMJHL captain and NHL-level depth forward. His role within the team’s forward group gives him a chance to play significant minutes in a prominent league.
Looking ahead, Fortier’s 2025 campaign with Leksands IF will be measured not only by point totals but also by how well he adapts to the SHL’s pace and structure. A strong showing could position him for further opportunities in Sweden, while continued development would reinforce the trajectory that began when Baie-Comeau selected him fourth overall in 2016.