LaFontaine, the League's vice president, hockey development and community affairs, said his work on the NHL's Declaration of Principles made him a good fit for the National Fitness Foundation's board.
The declaration, crafted by 17 hockey stakeholders and unveiled in September 2017, advances policies, programs and initiatives to create the best possible experience for the entire hockey community. It states, in part, that all hockey programs should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.
"All sports, but being in the hockey family, I'm proud to be part of the hockey family for all that it stands for -- the finesse of the game, the excitement of the game, the love of the game," he said, "but more importantly, what the game gives you: the life skills, the character, the development, the values that the sport stands for."
LaFontaine
brings a wealth of knowledge to the foundation as a former player and youth hockey coach. Selected by the New York Islanders in the first round (No. 3) of the 1983 NHL Draft, LaFontaine had 1,013 points (468 goals, 545 assists) in 865 games for the Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers from 1983-84 to 1997-98.
Born in St. Louis but raised in Waterford, Michigan, LaFontaine was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame and the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.
LaFontaine said he's eager to use his position on the National Fitness Foundation board to try to reverse the decline in youth participation in team sports.