Cade Fairchild

History

2004-05: Playing for Duluth East High School (Minnesota), Cade Fairchild recorded 42 points from the blue line (10 goals, 32 assists) in 29 games.

2005-06: Playing for the U-17 squad, Fairchild notched 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) and 14 PIM in 56 games.  Fairchild also had an opportunity to appear in 12 games for the U-18 team.  He was held pointless in these 12 games, and spent two minutes in the penalty box.  He participated in the World U-18 Championships where he helped Team USA win a gold medal.  He also was a member of the silver medal winning Team USA squad at the 2006 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he totaled two points (no goals, two assists) in seven games.

2006-07: Fairchild spent the entire year with the U-18 squad, scoring 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) and 40 PIM in 40 games.  Two of his three goals came on the power play, and one of his goals was a game-winning goal.  Fairchild, who stands at 5’10, played very well against NCAA opposition.  He recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) and 24 PIM in 20 games.  He was the only member of the U-18 defense to record a game-winning goal against NCAA opponents.  Heading into the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Fairchild was ranked 189 overall by NHL Central Scouting. Fairchild was chosen in the fourth round, 96th overall, of the 2007 NHl Draft by the St. Louis Blues.

2007-08: Fairchild played in 40 games as a freshman for the University of Minnesota, scoring 2 goals, 13 assists for 15 points.

2008-09: Fairchild had a strong season as a sophomore at Minnesota. He skated in 35 games and scored 9 goals, 24 assists for 33 points. Fairchild’s point total led all of the Gopher blueliners. He also added 52 PIMs.

2009-10: As the Gophers struggled throughout the season, Fairchild’s numbers also went down in his junior season. In 39 games, he scored 4 goals, 17 assists for 21 points. His point total was still fourth on the team and led all defensemen.

2010-11: Fairchild was the leading scorer amongst defensemen for the University of Minnesota as a senior. In what was a disappointing season – the Gophers struggled to stay above .500 for much of the year and finished fifth in the WCHA; missing the NCAA tournament – Fairchild skated in 35 of 36 games and scored 6 goals with 18 assists. Three of his goals came on the power play and he finished +5 with 12 PMs. Fairchild signed a two-year, entry-level contract with St. Louis in March 2011.

2011-12: Fairchild made his NHL debut in late November, appearing in a game for the Blues against Washington, and also had a four-game stint with St. Louis in January. He had 1 assist and was minus-1 in five NHL games while averaging just under 10 minutes of ice time per game. Fairchild skated in 68 games for the Blues’ AHL affiliate Peoria and was the team’s second-leading scorer amongst defensemen behind veteran Danny Syvret. He scored 8 goals with 26 assists and was a team-best plus-26 with 32 penalty minutes. Peoria missed the AHL playoffs after finishing fourth in the Midwest Division.

2012-13: Slowed by a leg injury early in the year, Fairchild appeared in 43 games for St. Louis AHL affiliate Peoria in his second pro season. He finished with 8 assists and was -5 with 16 penalty minutes as veteran AHL defensemen Mark Cundari, Taylor Chorney, and Brent Regner filled the offensive defenseman role for the Rivermen. Peoria missed the AHL playoffs after finishing last in the Midwest Division.

Talent Analysis

Fairchild, who made a nice recovery from shoulder surgery, is a pretty good puck carrying defenseman.  He can be a creative offensive defenseman, but many wonder whether his talent is enough to push his undersized body at the NHL level.

Future

Fairchild is an undersized defenseman who relies heavily on his skating. He played his second season in the AHL and has yet to produce solid numbers. He will likely remain in the AHL in 2013-14 to try and improve his game.

Fairchild was dealt by the St. Louis Blues to the Phoenix Coyotes for future considerations in March of 2014.