Goaltender Jack LaFontaine has decided that he’s not ready to turn pro yet after all. Instead, his college team in Minnesota announced that the netminder will return for his fifth and final NCAA season. The 23-year-old had stellar numbers with the Golden Gophers this season, posting a 1.79 GAA with a .934 SV% in 29 games which has him as a finalist for Goaltender of the Year while he was among the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award though he didn’t make the cut for the final three. LaFontaine started his college career with two seasons in Michigan before transferring to Minnesota, a move that has proven to be a wise one so far. He’ll now try to win an NCAA title next season before beginning his pro career with Carolina.
More news from the college ranks:
- Sharks prospect Jasper Weatherby has notified the team that he will remain at North Dakota for his senior year, notes Brad Elliott Schlossman of the Grand Forks Herald. The 23-year-old was a fourth-round pick of San Jose back in 2018 and had a strong junior season with 14 goals, most of which came in the second half. That was enough for the Sharks to offer him a chance to turn pro but Weatherby stated that he wants to take one more shot at winning a college title.
- The Maple Leafs have added some defensive depth from the college ranks as the AHL Marlies announced the signing of Brennan Kapcheck to a two-year deal that begins next season; he will also play the rest of this year on an amateur tryout agreement. The 24-year-old recently wrapped up his NCAA career with American International College, posting an impressive 18 assists in just 19 games for the Yellow Jackets this season.
- Blackhawks prospect Jake Wise has decided to leave Boston University and transfer to Ohio State, reports Scott Powers of The Athletic (Twitter link). The 21-year-old center was a third-round pick of Chicago back in 2018 but had just three goals in 50 games over three years with the Terriers. Wise will still have two years of NCAA eligibility remaining.
LaFontaine is a Canes draft pick and they still own his rights.
I think the report is clear that he’s a Canes prospect.
The original version didn’t have that so I added that in after the comment was posted.