Maxime Lagacé (born January 12, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for Färjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Maxime Lagacé
Lagacé with the Texas Stars in 2017
Born (1993-01-12) January 12, 1993 (age 31)
Saint-Augustin, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
SHL team
Former teams
Färjestad BK
Vegas Golden Knights
Pittsburgh Penguins
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2014–present

Playing career

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As a youth, Lagacé played in the 2005 and 2006 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with a minor ice hockey team from Rive-Nord.[1]

Junior

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Lagacé began his junior years with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2010. His first team was the P.E.I. Rocket for three years, finishing with a total record of 33–80–6 in 107 games and a .873 save percentage average. Lagacé also appeared in his only junior playoff game with the Rocket.

On July 23, 2012, Lagacé signed a three-year, $1.83 million entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars. Lagacé had participated in the Stars' Development Camp earlier that summer.[2][3]

Lagacé was transferred to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in 2013, where he only played eight games with a 3–3–1 record and a .887 save percentage. He was then traded to the Shawinigan Cataractes and the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the same season.

Professional

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Dallas Stars

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Maxime Lagacé entered the American Hockey League under his contract with the Dallas Stars, playing for their affiliate Texas Stars. He had only played a single game with no wins or losses, as he was pulled in the midst of the game.

Lagacé signed with the Missouri Mavericks of the ECHL in the 2014–15 season, but he was eventually traded to the Bakersfield Condors, where he would make his personal best save percentage of .915. He would then return with the Stars in the AHL the following year, playing in 36 games with a 19–10–3 record and .913 save percentage. The Stars would send Lagacé back down to the ECHL with their affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads. He would sign a one-year, two-way, $600,000 extension with the Dallas Stars in that same year.[4]

Vegas Golden Knights

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Lagacé played two more seasons in the AHL with the Texas Stars before signing with the NHL expansion team, the Vegas Golden Knights, as a free agent in 2017.[5] Lagacé started with their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves prior to getting called up to Vegas on first on October 15, 2017, due to injuries to Marc-André Fleury and then on October 23 when Malcolm Subban was injured. His first National Hockey League game was on October 30, appearing in a 6–3 loss to the New York Islanders, allowing four goals on eleven shots in 25 minutes of playing time after replacing the injured Oscar Dansk.[6] The following night, Lagacé made his first NHL start at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers, a 6–4 loss in which he stopped 32 of 37 shots.[7] Lagacé got his first NHL win against the Ottawa Senators in a 5–4 game on November 4 while making 24 saves for the Golden Knights.[8] On November 6, Lagacé lost his first shootout against the Toronto Maple Leafs with a 3–4 loss.[9] On December 10, Lagacé was reassigned to the Chicago Wolves following Marc-André Fleury's return from the injured reserve.[10] However, he was recalled back to the NHL on February 10, 2018, after Malcolm Subban was placed on injured reserve.[11] He was reassigned to the AHL on March 15, 2018.[12] Lagacé stayed in the AHL until Subban suffered a lower body injury in practice during the Western Conference Final, where he was then called up to serve as Fleury's backup.[13]

Lagacé began the 2018–19 season with the Chicago Wolves after being cut from the Knights training camp.[14] After playing in 18 games and posting a 9–6–0 record, he was recalled to the NHL on January 9.[15] Lagacé played one game during his recall, a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 30, before being reassigned to the Wolves on February 8.[16] During the 2019 Calder Cup playoffs, Lagacé recorded the first playoff goal by a goaltender in AHL history to help the Wolves win 5–2 over the San Diego Gulls. Lagacé made a save and was the last Wolves player to touch the puck, as a San Diego player inadvertently shot the puck into his own net.[17]

Boston Bruins

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On July 1, 2019, Lagacé left the Golden Knights as a free agent following the franchise’s first two seasons. He then signed a one-year, two-way $700,000 contract with the Boston Bruins.[18] In the 2019–20 season, Lagacé was assigned to Boston's AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins, appearing in 33 games. Helping Providence to the second-best record in the AHL, he posted a 22–7–3 recorded with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and five shutouts. His win total, goals-against average, save percentage and shutout total were all AHL career highs. He joined the Boston Bruins roster for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, however did not feature in a game.

Pittsburgh Penguins

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At the conclusion of his contract with the Bruins, Lagacé left as a free agent to sign a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 10, 2020.[19]

In his debut with the Penguins on May 8, 2021, Lagacé recorded his first career shutout against the Buffalo Sabres in the final game of the regular season. Stopping all 29 shots, Lagacé became the first goaltender in the history of the Penguins franchise to record a shutout in their first game. [20]

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Becoming a free agent the next off-season, Lagacé joined the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 28, 2021 on a one-year, two-way contract.[21]

After starting the season for AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch, Lagacé was recalled to the Lightning on December 27, 2021, along with teammate Hugo Alnefelt. This was in response to both Lightning goalies contracting COVID-19 and needing to sit out.[22] Lagacé started for the Lightning the next day at home against the Montreal Canadiens. Lagacé made 27 saves on 31 shots, as the Lightning won 5-4 in overtime.[23] He started again on December 30 against the Florida Panthers, but was removed at the end of the second period after allowing 6 goals on 27 shots. Alnefelt came in for Lagacé in the 3rd period, making his NHL debut in the process.[24]

Färjestad BK

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Following two seasons within the Lightning organization, Lagacé at the conclusion of his contract opted to embark on a European career by agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish club, Färjestad BK of the SHL, on June 14, 2023.[25]

Personal life

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Lagacé was born to Manon Dallaire and Gilles Lagacé. He has one younger brother,[26] and 10 other family members.[27] Lagacé speaks fluent French and English.[26]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2010–11 Prince Edward Island Rocket QMJHL 18 8 4 0 870 52 1 3.59 .884
2011–12 Prince Edward Island Rocket QMJHL 56 12 34 5 2912 219 1 4.51 .867
2012–13 Prince Edward Island Rocket QMJHL 33 13 12 1 1571 106 1 4.05 .869 1 0 0 27 1 0 2.19 .857
2013–14 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles QMJHL 8 3 3 1 464 25 0 3.23 .887
2013–14 Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL 3 1 2 0 180 12 1 4.00 .890
2013–14 Sherbrooke Phoenix QMJHL 15 2 9 3 827 56 0 4.06 .887
2014–15 Texas Stars AHL 1 0 0 0 17 1 0 3.55 .900
2014–15 Missouri Mavericks ECHL 15 5 6 3 779 39 1 3.01 .885
2014–15 Bakersfield Condors ECHL 13 6 4 1 718 32 1 2.68 .915
2015–16 Texas Stars AHL 36 19 10 3 2051 99 1 2.90 .913 2 0 1 88 4 0 2.74 .886
2015–16 Idaho Steelheads ECHL 11 3 5 2 582 30 0 3.09 .886
2016–17 Texas Stars AHL 32 11 12 2 1567 93 1 3.56 .883
2017–18 Chicago Wolves AHL 23 14 5 2 1350 64 0 2.84 .905 1 0 1 117 4 0 2.04 .947
2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 16 6 7 1 874 57 0 3.91 .867
2018–19 Chicago Wolves AHL 33 16 10 6 1973 80 1 2.43 .914 3 2 1 180 10 0 3.34 .865
2018–19 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 1 0 1 0 60 4 0 4.03 .871
2019–20 Providence Bruins AHL 33 22 7 3 1873 74 5 2.37 .919
2020–21 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 9 4 3 2 548 21 0 2.30 .907
2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 1 1 0 0 60 0 1 0.00 1.000
2021–22 Syracuse Crunch AHL 36 23 9 2 1977 76 4 2.31 .910 5 2 3 257 11 0 2.57 .911
2021–22 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 2 1 1 0 99 10 0 6.11 .828
2022–23 Syracuse Crunch AHL 41 17 12 8 2,262 126 1 3.34 .888 5 2 2 275 15 1 3.27 .858
2023–24 Färjestad BK SHL 18 12 6 0 1092 37 2 2.03 .919 1 0 0 20 1 0 3.00 .857
NHL totals 20 8 9 1 1,092 71 1 3.90 .870

References

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  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  2. ^ Dallas Stars (July 23, 2012). "Dallas Stars Sign Goaltender Max Lagace". NHL.com. Dallas Stars. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  3. ^ "2012 Dallas Stars Development Camp Roster" (PDF). NHL.com. Dallas Stars. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  4. ^ Dallas Stars (June 30, 2016). "Dallas Stars Sign Goaltender Maxime Lagace". NHL.com. Dallas Stars. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  5. ^ Vegas Golden Knights (July 1, 2017). "Golden Knights Sign Six Free Agents; Trade Emelin To Nashville". NHL.com. Vegas Golden Knights. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  6. ^ Compton, Brian (October 30, 2017). "Tavares helps Islanders end Golden Knights winning streak". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  7. ^ Satriano, David (October 31, 2017). "Zibanejad, Rangers rally past Golden Knights". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
  8. ^ "Vegas fights off Sens to give NHL newbie Maxime Lagace 1st win". CBC Sports. November 4, 2017.
  9. ^ "Marner scores shootout winner as Maple Leafs beat Golden Knights". Sportsnet. November 6, 2017.
  10. ^ "Fleury activated off injured reserve by Golden Knights". NHL.com. NHL. December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  11. ^ "Malcolm Subban placed on injured reserve by Golden Knights". NHL.com. February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  12. ^ "Tomas Hyka, Maxime Lagace Assigned To AHL's Chicago Wolves". NHL.com. March 15, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  13. ^ Carp, Steve (May 27, 2018). "Lagace steps up as Fleury's backup for Stanley Cup Final". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  14. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Announce Roster Transactions: 9/25". NHL.com. September 25, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  15. ^ "Vegas Recalls Goaltender Maxime Lagace From The Chicago Wolves". NHL.com. January 9, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  16. ^ "Golden Knights Assign Goaltender Maxime Lagace To The Chicago Wolves". NHL.com. February 8, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  17. ^ "LAGACE CREDITED WITH GOAL IN WOLVES WIN". theahl.com. May 26, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  18. ^ "Bruins announce seven transactions on July 1". Boston Bruins. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  19. ^ "Penguins sign forward Frederick Gaudreau and goaltender Maxime Lagace". October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  20. ^ "Goaltender Maxime Lagace records shutout in Penguins debut". May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  21. ^ "Lightning sign five players to one-year, two-way contracts". Tampa Bay Lightning. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  22. ^ "Lightning recall G Maxime Lagace, G Hugo Alnefelt and D Sean Day". NHL. December 27, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  23. ^ "Palat scores in OT, Lightning rally past Habs in NHL return". ESPN. December 28, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  24. ^ "TB at FLA Box Score". ESPN. December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  25. ^ "Färjestad BK brings in Max Lagace" (in Swedish). Färjestad BK. June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Portrait de joueur : Maxime " Lagy " Lagacé". hockeyphoenix.ca (in French). March 5, 2014.
  27. ^ Marrazza, Dan (November 5, 2017). "Maxime Lagace Picks Up First NHL Win With Family In Attendance". NHL. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
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