Goalie Jack LaFontaine jumps at ‘golden’ opportunity to join the Carolina Hurricanes
For Jack LaFontaine, Sunday’s decision was one of the toughest of his life — and one of the quickest.
The goalie could have stayed at the University of Minnesota, and continued to help his team win at the college level. Or, he could sign a one-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, leaving his team in mid-season to begin his professional career — an unusual exit.
And, he was on the clock. LaFontaine, 24, had about 20 hours to make that potentially life-changing decision.
“It all happened fast. It’s not some thing I was pondering all season,” LaFontaine said Monday.
Ultimately, LaFontaine signed with the Canes, the team that selected the 6-2, 204-pound goalie in the third round of the 2016 NHL draft. The plan is for him to join the team after its road game Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
“It came down the opportunity at hand,” LaFontaine said. “I think the opportunity’s very golden, and I think the timing’s right.
“I think this opportunity is special in the sense that I’ve been working toward the goal of playing in the NHL since about the age of 7. All my actions, all my sacrifices, all my work have been for the common goal of playing in the NHL. Saying that, I’ve just got to take it to the dance.”
LaFontaine said he had some conversations with his Minnesota teammates, saying, “They all respected and were excited for myself. These opportunities don’t come along very often and in talking with management and others I knew in my heart of hearts it was time to make the next move.”
LaFontaine’s timeline
Canes president and general manager Don Waddell said LaFontaine needed a work visa as a native Canadian playing for a U.S. team. LaFontaine, from Mississauga, Ontario, was assigned to the Canes’ taxi squad on Monday.
“Come Wednesday, he can start practicing with the team and we’ll go from there,” Waddell said.
Will that mean an early game with the Canes? That remains to be seen. Carolina had goalies Frederik Andersen and Alex Lyon at practice Monday, and Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Andersen probably would start against the Flyers.
Goalie Antti Raanta missed Saturday’s game against Florida with an upper-body injury, and Lyon drew the start after being recalled from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL. After a shaky start, Lyon settled in as the Canes rallied to force overtime before losing 4-3 in overtime to the Panthers.
Waddell said Monday that Raanta’s injury status was “day to day” and that he did not expect it to be a long-term issue.
A strong resume
LaFontaine said the past few days have been an “emotional roller coaster.” He noted he “grew as an individual and a hockey player” in the Minnesota program after leaving the University of Michigan, playing the 2018-19 season with the Penticton Vees in junior hockey and then going to Minnesota.
“I feel with goalies the paradox is the more you get beat down the stronger you get,” he said. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of adversity and arduous moments in my career and for me it just made me stronger. So as a human being, as more of a holistic goalie, mentally and emotionally, I feel like I’ve made some great strides.”
LaFontaine was 2020-21 winner of the Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in NCAA Division I. He had a 22-7-0 record, 1.79 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and five shutouts in 29 games in being named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to college hockey’s best player.
LaFontaine’s numbers haven’t been quite as impressive this season — a 12-8-0 record, 2.69 GAA and .900 save percentage in 20 NCAA games. A graduate student, he would have been an unrestricted free agent had he completed the season and his college eligibility with Minnesota.
Position of need
But the Canes’ circumstances and those with the Wolves made the signing necessary. Or as Waddell said, “Very much wanted and needed.”
The Wolves needed help. Lyon was recalled and goalie Eetu Makiniemi injured. Beck Warm, recalled from the ECHL, was injured at a morning skate, forcing the Wolves to sign goalies Michael Lackey and Caydon Edwards to PTO’s.
Waddell said Canes goaltending development coach Jason Muzzatti spoke with LaFontaine after Minnesota’s game Friday against Michigan State -- LaFontaine allowed one goal on 24 shots in a 4-1 win -- and the deal came together quickly.
LaFontaine said he was the first Minnesota player to leave during a season for pro hockey since forward Kyle Okposo signed with the New York Islanders in the 2007-08 season.
“I made the decision in a span of 20 hours,” LaFontaine said. “Looking at it through a hockey lens, from a life lens, I felt really good about it. I feel really good about my game right now and feel I can contribute to the team anyway I can.”
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 1:49 PM.
