13th year French-born defenseman Benjamin Dieude-Fauvel(37) has come full circle as he signed for 2016/2017 with Elmira Jackals, the first team he skated for in the league over two seasons 2011-2013.
The fairly sizable 6’2″ 220 lbs. blue liner began his career with five seasons in his home countries’ top Ligue Magnus after working his way up through juniors.
He first came to North American pro hockey after two games for Chamonix signing in the Central Hockey League with Laredo Bucks. where he played a career high 64 games scoring new bests 9 goals and 15 assists.
Returning for a 2nd season he upped his assist total to 17 continuing a hard-hitting, tough to play against style while continuing to improve his offensive output.
He would next try to move up the ladder some inking for his first run with the upstate New York team in the ECHL but had less success than at the lower rung of double A.
Moving back down to the CHL he agreed to terms with Quad City Mallards for 2013/2014 and had his most productive year yet notching 11 goals and 29 assists for 40 points with a +17 rating.
He added another goal and an assist in 14 playoff games as the league was folding.
Staying put in Illinois for a 2nd campaign as they shifted operations to the ECHL he earned his first and only call-up appearing in 20 AHL games for Iowa Wild but could only manage one assist.
Not finding a suitor for another season at the higher level, he moved back down to skate for Evansville Icemen but was waived and quick to jump to Rapid City Rush, where matters improved dramatically but continued to move on finishing with Kalamazoo Wings.
The now 30-year old seems to have settled nicely for now but it remains to be seen what his next move may take.
It definitely wouldn’t be out of the question to see him return to France for a few more seasons before hanging up his skates and moving on to coaching.