The Coachella Valley Firebirds Thursday announced the signing of goaltender Jack LaFontaine for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
The Firebirds, the Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League affiliate, featured the 26-year-old LaFontaine in three games last season, in which he amassed a 2-0-0 record with a 2.30 goals against average and a .919 save percentage.
LaFontaine spent the majority of the previous season with the ECHL’s Kansas City Mavericks, earning a 16-3-1 record in 23 games and spearheading the team to a Western Conference Championship.
Prior to his stint with the Firebirds, the Mississauga, Ontario native played for the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears and Norfolk Admiral, the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch and Charlotte Checkers, the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota. LaFontaine also played two games in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes.
In his 2020-21 season with the Golden Gophers, LaFontaine’s 22-7-0 record, 1.79 goals against average and .900 save percentage were enough to earn the Mike Richter Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate goalie. He was additionally named an NCAA (West) First-Team All-American and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top collegiate hockey player overall.
Fans can view the Firebirds’ full schedule at cvfirebirds.com/schedule/2024-25- schedule/ and purchase season tickets at cvfirebirds.com/tickets/season-tickets/.