Jack LaFontaine

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Jack LaFontaine
Born (1998-01-06) January 6, 1998 (age 23)
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
B1G team University of Minnesota
NHL Draft 75th overall, 2016
Carolina Hurricanes
Playing career TBD–present

Jack LaFontaine (born January 6, 1998) is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference (B1G). 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]

Career statistics[]

Regular season and playoffs[]

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2014–15 Georgetown Raiders OJHL 30 20 6 0 1,635 58 2 2.13 .923 — — — — — — — —
2015–16 Janesville Jets NAHL 41 24 8 7 2,356 85 4 2.16 .991 — — — — — — — —
2016–17 University of Michigan B1G 11 1 7 1 594 33 0 3.34 .911 — — — — — — — —
2017–18 University of Michigan B1G 11 4 4 0 530 31 0 3.51 .889 — — — — — — — —
2018–19 Penticton Vees BCHL 45 30 13 1 2,686 98 3 2.19 .923 — — — — — — — —
2019–20 University of Minnesota B1G 25 9 9 6 1,390 59 0 2.55 .919 — — — — — — — —
2020–21 University of Minnesota B1G 29 22 7 0 1,706 51 5 1.79 .934 — — — — — — — —
NCAA totals 76 36 27 7 4,220 174 5 2.79 .913 — — — — — — — —

Awards and honors[]

Award Year Ref
College
Big Ten Goaltender of the Year 2021 [9]
All-Big Ten First Team 2021
Big Ten All-Tournament Team 2021 [10]
Big Ten Tournament MVP 2021
Mike Richter Award 2021 [11]
AHCA West First Team All-American 2021 [12]

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. ^ "Hockey Postseason Honors Announced". BigTen.org. March 16, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Gophers Take Down Badgers, Win B1G Tournament Championship". gophersports.com. March 16, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "LaFontaine Wins Mike Richter Award, 'U' Trio Named All-Americans". gophersports.com. April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  12. ^ "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.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Big Ten Goaltender of the Year
2020–21 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Mike Richter Award
2020–21 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player
2021 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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