 Prior to turning professional, Fairchild attended the University of Minnesota where he was the top scoring defenseman with the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team which competes in NCAA's Division I in the WCHA conference.On March 18, 2011, Fairchild was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues.On November 29, 2011, Fairchild made his NHL debut playing 14 shifts in the Blues' 2-1 victory over the home team Washington Capitals.