Future Watch: Maxime Lajoie Rookie Hockey Cards, Senators – Maxime Lajoie was drafted by the Ottawa Senators with the 133rd overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. To say this was a pick that wasn’t expected to make it to the NHL a few years later is an understatement.
The smooth-skating defenseman started out his career with the Swift Current Broncos. In his first season, he had 40 points in 73 games. He had seven goals, a trend that would continue, he can score goals. And in the playoffs, he had three points in four games.
In 2015-16, his points dropped but he had eight goals. The next season he had seven goals and 42 points in 68 games. He wore the “A” and he had nine points in 14 playoff games. That’s when the Senators knew he could turn pro.
In 2017-18, he played in the AHL and ECHL. It was a year of learning for him. He had to round out his game and 15 points in 56 games in the AHL with Belleville didn’t suggest he could crack the NHL roster the following season.
Lajoie had a great training camp in 2018. His defense was good, and his offense was jumping off the page. Really it was his puck moving and his shot and he made the team. He had a nice season getting seven goals and 15 points in 56 games. It’s something to build on.
Here’s a look at his NHL debut where he was already firing the puck:
Now 21, collectors and fans alike can expect him to get around double-digit goals and 30-40 points a season. That could be next year or the year after. Either way, he’s a player who should be collected.
Future Watch: Maxime Lajoie Rookie Hockey Cards, Senators – Stats
| Scoring | Goals | Assists | Shots | Ice Time | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Tm | Lg | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | EV | PP | SH | GW | EV | PP | SH | S | S% | TSA | TOI | ATOI | FOW | FOL | FO% | BLK | HIT | TK | GV | Awards |
| 2018-19 | 21 | OTT | NHL | 56 | 7 | 8 | 15 | -25 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 79 | 8.9 | 165 | 1059 | 18:54 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 34 | 13 | 48 | ||
| Career | 1 yr | NHL | 56 | 7 | 8 | 15 | -25 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 79 | 8.9 | 165 | 1059 | 18:54 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 34 | 13 | 48 | |||
Future Watch: Maxime Lajoie Rookie Hockey Cards, Senators – More Resources
Future Watch: Maxime Lajoie Rookie Hockey Cards, Senators – Image Gallery
For more from Russ Cohen, follow him on Twitter @sportsology.
Russ Cohen
is the author of several top-selling sports related books.
Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball
- NHL Future Watch: Sean Farrell Hockey Cards, Montreal Canadiens - April 23, 2024
- MLB Future Watch: Zach Neto Baseball Cards, LA Angels - April 19, 2024
- NFL Future Watch: Demario Douglas Football Cards, New England Patriots - April 18, 2024