Loading The Cannon: Nolan Lalonde

Nolan Lalonde came to the Blue Jackets 2022 training camp as an 18-year-old kid who was there to both get a looked at, and to help fill in, that was September. Just a short time later, on October 2nd, Lalonde was signed to a 3-year entry level contract. GM Jarmo Kekalainen liked him so much, I guess they figured they'd snatch him up before anyone else could. So far, that's looking like a good move. 

Lalonde's first two seasons for the OHL's Erie Otters were ho-hum. In those two years he had a combined record of 35-45-4-6 with a save % of around .870. But he was young was playing a ton of games, this is good experience for him. 

This season after four games he started 0-2-1 and was traded from the Mid-West Division Otters, to the West Division Saginaw Spirit, and man oh man did things change for Lalonde. 

After starting his Spirit career 1-4-0-1, Lalonde has found his stride by rattling off 13 straight victories. This win streak goes way back to November 3rd. 

Lalonde has been bailed out by the team in front of him though, but good goalies will need that every now and then. Three times he's given up 5 goals in a game and got the win, 4 goals against twice, 3 goals twice, and has no shutouts. Let's not forget this is junior hockey, and goalies do get burnt a lot by inexperienced defenses in front of them.  

What The Pros Say

Erie GM Dave Brown:

“Nolan is agile, quick, and athletic. He has a solid understanding of the position and its intricacies that allow today’s goalies to gain control over the opposition." 

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Nolan Lalonde turns 20 on February 14th. After the Saginaw Spirit finish their season, Lalonde would be eligible for the AHL should he decide to turn pro. Saginaw however, should make a deep run in the OHL playoffs and might not make it in time for a Cleveland Calder Cup run. Saginaw currently sits in first place in the West Division and is a lock to make the playoffs. The OHL playoffs start in March and end in May.

Cleveland would start their playoff run in late April, so it's possible, should Saginaw get eliminated early, and Lalonde decide to turn pro, he could join Cleveland for their playoffs. Lalonde is signed and could very well make this happen. 

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