LaFontaine, 24, signed a one-year, entry-level contract with Carolina on Jan. 9 and made two NHL appearances with the Hurricanes, registering a 0-1-0 record, 7.20 goals-against average and .780 save percentage. He will look to make his AHL debut with Chicago. The 6'2", 204-pound netminder earned a 12-8-0 record, 2.69 goals-against average, .900 save percentage and one shutout in 20 collegiate games with Minnesota this season as one of the Gophers' tri-captains. LaFontaine posted a 22-7-0 record, 1.79 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and five shutouts in 29 games with the Gophers in 2020-21 and was named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in college hockey. He won the Mike Richter Award as the top goaltender in Division I after ranking first in wins, tied for second in save percentage and shutouts and fourth in goals-against average. LaFontaine played 96 career collegiate games with Michigan and Minnesota from 2016-22, posting a 2.52 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and six shutouts. The Mississauga, Ont., native also spent one year with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in 2018-19, posting a 30-13-1 record, 2.19 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and three shutouts. He ranked tied for the league lead in save percentage and ranked second in wins and goals-against average, earning Top Goaltender and First-Team All-Star honors. LaFontaine was selected by Carolina in the third round, 75th overall, of the 2016 NHL Draft.
Noesen, 28, has posted 37 points (18g, 19a) in 30 AHL games with the Wolves in 2021-22 and ranks tied for second in the AHL in goals and third in points while pacing the league in game-winning goals (6). He has tallied 131 points (58g, 73a) in 184 career AHL games with Norfolk, San Diego, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, San Jose, Toronto and Chicago from 2013-22. The 6'1", 205-pound forward has skated in two NHL games with the Hurricanes this season and has tallied 54 points (31g, 23a) in 207 career NHL games with Anaheim, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, San Jose, Toronto and Carolina from 2015-21. Prior to turning professional, Noesen spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with Plymouth, earning 220 points (100g, 120a) in 215 games from 2009-13 and serving as an alternate captain for the Whalers in his 2012-13. The Plano, Texas, native was selected by Ottawa in the first round, 21st overall, of the 2011 NHL Draft and signed with Carolina as a free agent on Aug. 1, 2021.
