The Graz 99ers, competing in Austria’s ICEHL, have announced the signing of Maxime Lagace, a former goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lagace played the past two seasons with Färjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). During the 2024-25 season, he appeared in 31 games, posting a 17-10-0 record, a .886 save percentage, and a 2.64 goals-against average.
Lagace joined the Penguins organization in the 2020-21 season, primarily playing in the AHL. In nine games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, he recorded a 4-3-2 record, a .907 save percentage, and a goals-against average of 2.30. He also played one NHL game for Pittsburgh, earning a shutout in the season finale against the Buffalo Sabres.
His tenure with the Penguins ended when he signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent the following offseason. Throughout his NHL career spanning four seasons—and time with the Vegas Golden Knights, Penguins, and Lightning—he played in 20 games, achieving an 8-9-1 record, with a .870 save percentage and a 3.90 goals-against average.
In related news, former Penguins forward Daniel Sprong is heading overseas after signing a one-year contract with KHL’s CSKA Moscow.
Fan Take: Maxime Lagace’s move to the Graz 99ers is an exciting development for hockey fans, showcasing how players continue to find fresh opportunities internationally. It underscores the growing talent and competitive nature of European leagues, enriching the global landscape of professional hockey.
