Maxim Lajoie, a former defenseman for the Seattle Kraken and Coachella Valley Firebirds, has inked a deal with the KHL team Avangard Omsk. The 27-year-old spent one season with the Kraken organization, appearing in 70 games for the Firebirds and accumulating four goals and 38 points. Lajoie was initially drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.
During his career, Lajoie played 62 NHL games with the Senators before moving on to spend three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. Afterward, he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs before joining the Kraken. His NHL career totals include 77 games played, seven goals, and 16 points, along with eight seasons in the AHL where he played 378 games, notching 34 goals and 194 points.
At Avangard Omsk, Lajoie will join a roster that features several NHL prospects, such as Mikhail Gulyayev from the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville’s Semyon Chistyakov, Pittsburgh’s Vasili Ponomaryov, and Dmitri Rashevsky of the Winnipeg Jets. The team also boasts former NHL players like Nail Yakupov, Vyacheslav Voynov, Alexander Volkov, and Nikolai Prokhorin. Lajoie will be coached by Guy Boucher, who has previous NHL coaching experience in Ottawa and Toronto.
Omsk General Manager Alexei Sopin expressed enthusiasm about signing Lajoie, praising his versatility, skating ability, offensive and defensive balance, and his capacity to support his teammates with solid decision-making.
Additionally, former Kraken forward Daniel Sprong recently signed with KHL team CSKA Moscow, highlighting growing NHL talent transitioning to the KHL.
Fan Take: This move underscores the increasing trend of NHL players seeking opportunities in the KHL, which strengthens the global reach and competitiveness of hockey. For fans, it means more dynamic player exchanges and a chance to witness diverse playing styles, ultimately enriching the sport worldwide.
