Former Robert Morris defenseman Elias Ghantous has signed his first professional contract to play in France for the 2018-19 season.
Ghantous, a 6-foot-1 defenseman from Leitrim, Ontario, played in all 39 games for the Colonials as a senior in 2017-18.
The defensive-oriented blueliner finished with just four points of his own and earned a reputation more for his physical play than scoring touch. But he also became relied upon as a defensive stalwart as a senior. He was a plus-three for the season, second amongst Robert Morris defensemen.
He finished his collegiate career with one goal, nine assists and 65 penalty minutes in 80 career games.
Ghantous will join the Diables Rouges de Briançon, or the Briançon Red Devils. Briançon is located in southeastern France in the Alpine Mountains. The Diables Rouges play in FFHG Division 1, which is the second tier of hockey in France, below Ligue Magnus.
Ghantous is the fifth member of Robert Morris’ 2018 class to sign with a professional team. Forward Brady Ferguson skated on an amateur tryout with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League while Spencer Dorowicz, Timmy Moore and Robert Powers all played with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits of the ECHL.
