"Maxime played well in Chicago last season and was able to step into our lineup during the playoffs," said Waddell. "We're excited to bring back a young defenseman with NHL experience."
Lajoie, 23, skated in two games with Carolina during the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs, making his NHL postseason debut in Game 3 of the Central Division First Round at Nashville on May 21. The 6'1," 196-pound defenseman tallied 21 points (6g, 15a) in 27 AHL games with Chicago during the regular season, ranking fourth in points and tied for fourth in goals among AHL defensemen. Lajoie has played 62 career NHL regular season games, all with Ottawa, earning 15 points (7g, 8a). He has also registered 54 points (11g, 43a) in 134 career AHL games with Belleville and Chicago. Prior to turning professional, the Quebec City, Que., native spent parts of four seasons in the Western Hockey League with Swift Current from 2014-17, posting 119 points (22g, 97a) and serving as an alternate captain during his final two seasons with the Broncos. Selected by Ottawa in the fifth round, 133rd overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft, Lajoie was acquired by the Hurricanes from the Senators in exchange for Clark Bishop on Jan. 12, 2021.
