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Coachella Valley Firebirds sign goaltender Jack LaFontaine, add depth at uncertain position

andrew l. john, palm springs desert sun
·2 min read
The Coachella Valley Firebirds have signed goaltender Jack LaFontaine, shown here replacing goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.
The Coachella Valley Firebirds have signed goaltender Jack LaFontaine, shown here replacing goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds have signed 25-year-old goaltender Jack LaFontaine to a one-year deal, adding depth to a position that has plenty of uncertainty leading up to the 2023-24 season.

LaFontaine, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs around 210 pounds, appeared in 30 games last season for the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL. He also made five appearances for the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch.

The Mississauga, Canada native began his collegiate career in 2016 at the University of Michigan before transferring to the University of Minnesota. During the 2020-21 season with the Golden Gophers, LaFontaine held a 22-7-0 record, 1.79 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage. His play garnered several awards, including the prize for the NCAA’s top collegiate goalie (Mike Richter Award), a finalist spot for the Hobey Baker Award (NCAA top collegiate hockey player), and he was named an NCAA (West) First-Team All-American.

Newest member of Coachella Valley Firebirds said team created a buzz around AHL

After college, LaFontaine joined the Carolina Hurricanes’ organization and played two games in the NHL during the 2021-22 season. He also played 13 games on a Calder Cup championship team with the AHL's Chicago Wolves, where he was a teammate of Firebirds' center Andrew Poturalski, and two games for the ECHL's Norfolk Admirals.

LaFontaine has a 5-5-4 record in 18 AHL games.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Jack LaFontaine (80) reacts after giving up a goal to the New Jersey Devils during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Jack LaFontaine (80) reacts after giving up a goal to the New Jersey Devils during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

The addition of another goalie to the Firebirds' roster adds more options for the NHL's Seattle Kraken as they inch closer to training camp next month. Coachella Valley's starter, Joey Daccord, re-signed with the Kraken over the summer and is expected to have a role with the Kraken this season. That would leave a giant hole in the net for a team that was one goal from winning a Calder Cup title in June.

The addition of LaFontaine adds some depth to a position that leaves plenty of uncertainty for the Firebirds entering the upcoming season, which begins Oct. 13 versus the Bakersfield Condors inside Acrisure Arena.

Andrew John covers the Coachella Valley Firebirds for The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Firebirds sign goaltender Jack LaFontaine, add depth at needed position