Blast From The Past? - Jacques Lafontaine

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

(I found this Theme Week kind of funny because I used to do articles like this all the time on VSN.)

 

SEATTLE - “Sort of ironic that I ended up here out of all places, eh?”

 

Jacques Lafontaine was wearing a Seattle Kraken jersey, a smile on his face as we interviewed him. Recently picked up in free agency after finishing his last season in Vegas, where he had a breakout year, Lafontaine found it ironic that his latest stop in his NHL journey would be the city he used to dread playing the most. Seattle fans were certainly shocked to see Jacques Lafontaine, who they were used to seeing on the other side of the ice with the Wranglers, now skate with the newest NHL franchise. 

 

“I remember cursing his name every time we went against him,” a Seattle Bears fan commented online on Twitter. “Still can’t believe I’m going to have the chance to cheer FOR him. If he’s anything like he was in the VHL, us Seattle fans are going to have a really good time.”

 

That’s right, the young VHLer who first showed up as a small, skinny 16 year old is still going strong in the professional hockey world.  Jacques has had an interesting NHL career. Shortly after leaving the VHL at age 23 (due to the league’s max season rule), the young goaltender transitioned into the NHL by joining the Vegas Golden Knights as a third-string goaltender. Over time however, he climbed up the ranks and had a stand out year as the B goalie in Vegas’ goalie tandem. Jacques finished with a regular season record of 28-9-2, with a good save percentage of 0.922 as well as a GAA of 2.66. He has proven himself to be a solid option in the NHL so when Seattle offered the now 27 year old Lafontaine a four year contract, he accepted.

 

“Yeah, it’s a great opportunity. This is the type of break I’ve been working towards; now it’s just up to me to make sure I use this chance to the best of my ability. You don’t get a chance like this every season. I’m glad the Kraken organization chose to trust in me.” Jacques Lafontaine said in a press conference. “Calgary has been a home away from home but I’m excited to play in Seattle. From what I remember, the fans were great for the Bears and I’m looking forward to seeing what it’s like being a Seattle goaltender. I’m not sure if the Flames and Kraken will have as strong a rivalry as the Wranglers and Bears did but I am expecting the biggest reaction coming from Calgary fans when I show up. It’ll be weird playing on the other side of the Saddle dome ice but it is what it is. It’s gonna be fun, for both me and the fans of both sides.”

 

Lafontaine has been looking strong and the team is confident that he is NHL starting material. After all, for both Seattle and Calgary fans (“It’s gonna be weird hearing Cow Town fans cheer against me for sure,” Lafontaine remarked.), they know what Lafontaine can do.

 

The question is, will he do what they know he can do?