Jack LaFontaine

NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes

Photo by: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Photo by: Brace Hemmelgarn

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Photo by: Mike Miller

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Photo by: Matthew Mitchell

Photo by: Brad Rempel

Photo by: Jim Rosvold

Position:
Goaltender
Ht./Wt.:
6-3 / 210
Class:
Senior
Shoot/Catch:
Michigan
Hometown:
Mississauga, Ont.
Previous Team:
Penticton Vees (BCHL)
NHL Rights:
Carolina (2016)

PRONUNCIATION

CAREER NOTES & HONORS
Concluded his college career by appearing in 74 career games for the Gophers with a 43-24-6 record • finished his college tenure with the second best career goals against average (2.29) and the third best career save percentage (.920) in program history • set single-season program records in 2020-21 for goals against average (1.79) and save percentage (.934) • 2021 Mike Richter Award recipient as the top goaltender in college hockey • First Team All-American (2021), Big Ten Goaltender of the Year (2021), First Team All-Big Ten (2021), Hobey Baker Award Finalist (2021) • First Team Academic All-American (2021), AHCA All-American Scholar (2021), Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2021) and Academic All-Big Ten (2021) • two-time University of Minnesota letter winner • totaled 96 college appearances with a 48-35-6 record, a 2.52 GAA and a .915 save percentage including his two seasons at Michigan • signed an entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 9, 2022 and made his NHL debut in a relief appearance on Jan. 13, 2022.

2021-22 | FIFTH-YEAR SEASON
Started 20 games for the Gophers with a 12-8-0 record, a .900 save percentage and a 2.69 GAA • signed an entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 9, 2022 and made his NHL debut in a relief appearance on Jan. 13, 2022 • team captain.

2020-21 | SENIOR SEASON
Gopher Hockey's first recipient of the Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in college hockey • the University of Minnesota's male recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor • finalist for the Hobey Baker Award • First Team All-American • the 2021 Big Ten Goaltender of the Year and a First Team All-Big Ten selection • the Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 Big Ten Men's Ice Hockey Tournament and a Big Ten All-Tournament Team honoree • named a finalist for the Big Ten Player of the Year • alternate captain for the Maroon & Gold • appeared in 29 games as a senior during the 2020-21 season and led the nation with 22 wins (22-7-0) • set new school records with a .924 save percentage and a 1.79 GAA • tied for the best save percentage in the NCAA and posted the third-best GAA in the NCAA among regular goaltenders • recorded five shutouts on the season including his first career shutout in a 2-0 win over Ohio State on Nov. 24, 2020 • also posted back-to-back shutouts in one series at Notre Dame • contributed two assists offensively including his first point with the Gophers in a 3-1 win at Michigan on Dec. 8, 2020 • one of three Gopher finalists for the Senior CLASS Award • named a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American -- one of only three Division I men's hockey players to earn Academic All-America honors in 2020-21 and the only First Team selection (also a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree) • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Academic All-Big Ten and a AHCA All-American Scholar • named the team's John Mariucci Most Valuable Player and shared the Mike Crupi Most Determined Player Award • earned second letter.

2019-20 | JUNIOR SEASON
Made 25 starts in his first campaign with the Gophers as a junior in 2019-20 • posted a 9-9-6 record with a .919 save percentage and a 2.55 GAA • his .919 save percentage was the seventh highest single-season performance in program history • made his Gophers debut on Oct. 11, 2019 at Colorado College and picked up his first win with Minnesota on Oct. 18, 2019 against Niagara • named the Mariucci Classic MVP and all-tournament team honoree after allowing three goals in two games and guiding Minnesota to a tournament title • made a career-high 54 saves in a 3-3 overtime tie at Penn State on Feb. 21, 2020 • started the last nine games of Minnesota's season and allowed two goals or less in each of his final five appearances • the 2019-20 season ended on March 12, 2020, when the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions and championships because of COVID-19 public health concerns as Minnesota prepared for the Big Ten tournament semifinals • recipient of Minnesota's Tom Mohr Playoff MVP Award • earned first letter.

JUNIORS/MICHIGAN
Spent the 2018-19 season with the Penticton Vees in the BCHL and helped the organization to the 2019 BCHL Interior Division Pennant • named the BCHL’s Top Goaltender for 2018-19 and was a finalist for the CJHL's Top Goaltender Award in 2018-19 • finished second in the BCHL with 30 wins, a .923 save percentage and goals against average of 2.19 • previously spent two seasons (2016-2018) at Michigan, appearing in 22 games for the Wolverines and helping the team to a Frozen Four appearance in 2018 • Academic All-Big Ten in 2017-18 with the Wolverines • previously played for the Janesville Jets in the NAHL and was named the 2016 NAHL Midwest Division Goalie of the Year.

PERSONAL
A native of Mississauga, Ontario • son of Heather and John LaFontaine • has one brother, Drake • plans to major in English • selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round (75th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft • the first player in Gopher Hockey history to wear No. 45.