LaFontaine, 24, signed a one-year, entry-level contract with Carolina yesterday. He earned a 12-8-0 record, 2.69 goals-against average, .900 save percentage and one shutout in 20 NCAA games with Minnesota in 2021-22. He was named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week on Nov. 2 after stopping 54 of 57 shots in a weekend sweep of Notre Dame. LaFontaine was named one of Minnesota's tri-captains prior to the start of the season after serving as one of the team's alternate captains last season. The 6'2", 204-pound netminder posted a 22-7-0 record, 1.79 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and five shutouts in 29 games with the Gophers in 2020-21, leading all Division I goaltenders in wins and ranking tied for second in save percentage and shutouts and fourth in goals-against average. LaFontaine won the Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in Division I and was also named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, a First-Team All-American and a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey. He played 96 collegiate games with Michigan and Minnesota from 2016-22, posting a 2.52 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and six shutouts. The Mississauga, Ont., native also spent one year with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2018-19, posting a 30-13-1 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and three shutouts. He ranked tied for the league lead in save percentage and ranked second in wins and goals-against average, earning Top Goaltender and First-Team All-Star honors. LaFontaine was selected by Carolina in the third round, 75th overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft.
