FHL: Dayton Devils Announce First Player Signing, Goaltender Stephane Cesar

The Federal Hockey League's expansion Dayton Devils announced Friday their first player signing for the team's inaugural season, inking goaltender Stephane Cesar to a one-year contract.

Cesar, 24, comes to Dayton after spending time last season with the Saguenay Marquis of the LNAH in Quebec, where he posted a 2-2 record with a 4.16 GAA in five games.

A former second-round pick of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 2004 QMJHL entry draft, Cesar saw time with several major-junior clubs including the QMJHL's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (2005-06), the OHL's London Knights (2006-08) and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (2008), totaling 28 games with a combined record of 10-11-2 at Canada's highest level of junior hockey. 

After spending parts of two seasons in the Junior A CJHL and reclaiming starting duties as a member of the Kanata Stallions (23-23-6, 3.51 GAA, 1 SO), Cesar packed his gear and headed to the Netherlands.

He spent the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons as starting goalie for the Heerenveen Flyers and Nijmegen Devils in the North Sea Cup (formerly the Dutch Eredivisie). FHL fans may recognize the Dutch league as the same one that 1000 Islands goaltender Matt Anthony (Eindhoven Kemphanen) played in prior to coming to the Privateers.

Cesar's signing as Dayton's first ever player clearly indicates that head coach Marc LeFebvre intends to build his team from the net out.

Currently, the Devils hold the FHL rights to ten players obtained through the FHL's expansion draft, including defensemen Vinny Geonnetti, Dan Mercer, Jim Jensen, Craig Cole and James Sanford. (The rest of that list is comprised of forwards Brett Liscomb, Devin Guy, Brad Townsend, Brad Surdam and Justin Barr.)

The Devils are scheduled to drop the puck on their first season outdoors, as they take on the Williamsport Outlaws at Bowman Field in Williamsport, PA on Oct. 24.

Their home opener will be the following Saturday, Oct. 27, when they host Danville at Hara Arena.