Red Berenson has secured a commitment from a highly rated prospect today, 17 year old Janesville Jets goaltender Jack LaFontaine.
Proud to announce my commitment to the University of Michigan! Thank you to friends, family and coaches for the help along the way! #GoBlue
— Jack LaFontaine (@jack_lafontaine) December 15, 2015
An Ontario native and former Georgetown Raider, LaFontaine has been one of the top uncommitted players in the '98 age group since posting a .923 SV% and a 2.13 goals against a year ago en route to being named an OJHL Top Prospect.
LaFontaine was selected in the third round of the OHL draft by Kitchener and in the 8th round of the USHL draft by Fargo, but headed to Janesville with Fargo full at the goalie position. As a Jet his strong play has continued and LaFontaine is 5th in the NAHL with a .927 SV% and second in goals against with a 1.77.
LaFontaine earned a "C" rating on the latest Central Scouting rankings for the 2016 NHL draft, which indicates the player as a mid to late round draft selection.
Measurables
LaFontaine is a big goaltender at 6'3, 190 lbs. He's a fundamentally sound goaltender who will rely his positioning and technique to make saves. He moves well laterally, has the vision to see through traffic and sees the play develop well in front of him.
Future Roster Analysis
The Wolverines now have three goaltender recruits. LaFontaine, Blooming Thunder netminder Hayden Lavigne and NTDP goaltender Dylan St. Cyr. That leaves quite the logjam.
Conventional wisdom leads me to believe LaFontaine will spend another year in juniors before joining the program in 2017. The Wolverines have held a commitment from Hayden Lavigne for three years and he signed his binding letter of intent, so cutting him loose with his junior hockey eligibility running out and no way to join another program would be considered extremely bad faith.
So, I would expect LaFontaine to play for Fargo next year and come in as a freshman in 2017 with Dylan St. Cyr. Time will tell how things shake up.