Jack LaFontaine
LaFontaine with the Seattle Kraken in September 2023
Born (1998-01-06) January 6, 1998
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
AHL team
Former teams		 Coachella Valley Firebirds
Carolina Hurricanes
NHL Draft 75th overall, 2016
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career 2022–present

Jack LaFontaine (born January 6, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted 75th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Junior

After spending two seasons at Michigan, primarily serving as a backup goaltender, LaFontaine signed with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) on June 18, 2018.[1] During the 2018–19 season, he posted a 30–13–1 record with a 2.19 goals-against average (GAA) and .923 save percentage. Following an outstanding season, he was named BCHL's Top Goaltender.[2]

College

LaFontaine began his collegiate career for the University of Michigan during the 2016–17 season. During his freshman season, he appeared in 11 games, where he posted a 1–7–1 record, with a 3.34 GAA and .911 save percentage. During his sophomore season, he appeared in 11 games, where he posted a 4–4 record, with a 3.51 GAA and .889 save percentage.[3]

On August 20, 2019, LaFontaine enrolled at the University of Minnesota.[4][5] During his junior season, he posted a 9–9–6 record, with a 2.55 GAA and .919 save percentage, in a COVID-19 shortened season. He made his debut for the Gophers on October 11, 2019, in a game against Colorado College.[6]

During his senior season, LaFontaine was the national leader in wins (21–6–0) and save percentage (.936) while ranking second in goals against average (1.74), among goalies that have started at least half their team's games. He was tied for second nationally in shutouts with five. He entered the NCAA tournament having allowed two goals or fewer in 26 of his last 21 starts dating back to the end of the 2019–20 season. LaFontaine set two program records for single-season save percentage (.934) and single-season goals against average (1.79). Following an outstanding season, he was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, and awarded the Mike Richter Award.[7]

On April 2, 2021, LaFontaine announced he would return to Minnesota for a fifth year during the 2021–22 season.[8] On January 9, 2022, LaFontaine signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.[9]

Professional

LaFontaine with the Chicago Wolves in 2022

On January 9, 2022, LaFontaine signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes.[10] After appearing in two games with the Hurricanes, LaFontaine would split the rest of the season between the AHL and ECHL.

As an impending restricted free agent following the conclusion of his entry-level contract, LaFontaine was released as a free agent after he was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Hurricanes. On July 25, 2022, LaFontaine was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch, the primary affiliate to the Tampa Bay Lightning.[11] During the 2022–23 season, LaFontaine was suspended six games after leaving the players’ bench during an altercation and attempting to fight Rochester Americans goaltender Malcolm Subban at the conclusion of the third period.[12]

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Crunch, LaFontaine continued his career in the AHL by agreeing to a one-year contract with the Coachella Valley Firebirds on August 23, 2023.[13]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2014–15Georgetown RaidersOJHL 3020601,6355822.13.923 ————————
2015–16Janesville JetsNAHL 4124872,3568542.16.991 ————————
2016–17 University of Michigan B1G 111715943303.34.911 ————————
2017–18 University of Michigan B1G 114405303103.51.889 ————————
2018–19 Penticton Vees BCHL 45301312,6869832.19.923 ————————
2019–20 University of Minnesota B1G 259961,3905902.55.919 ————————
2020–21 University of Minnesota B1G 2922701,7065151.79.934 ————————
2021–22 University of Minnesota B1G 20 12 8 0 1,162 52 1 2.69 .900 — — — — — — — —
2021–22 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 201075907.20.780 ————————
2021–22 Chicago Wolves AHL 134347063412.89.885 ————————
2021–22 Norfolk Admirals ECHL 2101120703.49.922 ————————
2022–23 Syracuse Crunch AHL 5120178702.36.924 ————————
2022–23 Orlando Solar Bears ECHL 301114116839813.49.898 ————————
NHL totals 201075907.20.780 ————————

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
College
Big Ten Goaltender of the Year 2021 [14]
All-Big Ten First Team 2021
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2021 [15]
Big Ten Tournament MVP 2021
Mike Richter Award 2021 [16]
AHCA West First Team All-American 2021 [17]

References

  1. ↑ "Vees sign Carolina Hurricanes prospect Jack LaFontaine". pentictonvees.ca. June 18, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Trophy Time – BCHL Award Winners". bchl.ca. February 26, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  3. ↑ Zuke, Ryan (January 30, 2019). "Goalie Jack LaFontaine leaves Michigan hockey program for Canadian junior team". MLive.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Jack LaFontaine joins Gophers men's hockey team". Star Tribune. August 20, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  5. ↑ "'U' Adds Jack LaFontaine to Roster". gophersports.com. August 20, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  6. ↑ "'U' Drops Season Opener at Colorado College". gophersports.com. October 12, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ "LaFontaine's B1G Goaltender of the Year Award Highlights 'U' Honors". gophersports.com. March 16, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  8. ↑ Myers, Jess (April 2, 2021). "Gophers men's hockey goalie Jack LaFontaine announces return for 2021-22 season". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Canes Sign LaFontaine To Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  10. ↑ "Canes Sign LaFontaine To Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. January 9, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Crunch sign goaltender Jack LaFontaine to AHL contract". Syracuse Crunch. July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Crunch's LaFontaine, Smith suspended". American Hockey League. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Firebirds sign goalie Jack LaFontaine". Coachella Valley Firebirds. August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". BigTen.org. March 16, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Gophers Take Down Badgers, Win B1G Tournament Championship". gophersports.com. March 16, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  16. ↑ "LaFontaine Wins Mike Richter Award, 'U' Trio Named All-Americans". gophersports.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Boston College, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin lead way with three All-American college hockey players apiece for '20-21 season". USCHO.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Big Ten Goaltender of the Year
2020–21		 Succeeded by
Preceded by Mike Richter Award
2020–21		 Succeeded by
Preceded by Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player
2021		 Succeeded by
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