GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Monday signed defenseman Charle-Édouard D’Astous (sharl ed-WHARD das-TOU) to a two-year contract.

D’Astous, 21, spent the last four seasons with the Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, logging 181 points (49-132—181), a plus-47 rating and 268 penalty minutes in 244 regular season games from 2015-19. In 28 playoff contests, he showed 23 points (2-21—23), a plus-four rating and 32 PIM.

During his final campaign in 2018-19, D’Astous took home the Emile Bouchard Trophy as the league’s Defenseman of the Year while also capturing First All-Star Team honors after he led all QMJHL defensemen in points (14-52—66) and assists (52) in 55 games. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound blueliner also ranked among the league’s top defensemen with 25 power play assists (T1st), 14 goals (T7th), a plus-34 rating (T10th) and four power play goals (T12th). He led all team defensemen and placed third overall on the club in postseason scoring with 15 points (1-14—15) as Rimouski fell to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the league semifinals. D’Astous served as Rimouski's captain and was also recognized as the QMJHL’s Humanitarian of the Year.

A native of Rimouski, Quebec, D’Astous was named to the QMJHL Second All-Star Team in 2017-18 after placing among the circuit’s leading defensemen with 56 points (7th), 18 goals (2nd), 38 assists (T10th), a plus-33 rating (T6th) and 96 PIM (7th) in 59 appearances.

The Griffins’ 2019-20 schedule will be released later this summer and tickets will go on sale in September. Fans can secure their full-season, select-season or group ticket packages by calling (616) 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com for more information.

Photo by Rimouski Océanic