On Monday September 21st, the Rapid City Rush announced the signing of Canadian goaltender Hayden Lavigne. The two sides agreed on a standard player contract for the upcoming season. After spending four seasons playing with the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA, the Brampton, Ontario product make his professional debut with the Rush.
The 6’3, 201-pound goaltender garnered 31 college wins while playing collegiate with the Wolverines. His .908 save percentage in 2017-18 earned him a place on the Big Ten Honourable Mentions Team while helping propel Michigan to the Frozen Four Semifinal. They played against Notre Dame.
Prior to his time at Michigan, Lavigne spent time in junior where he developed in the USHL. He was selected 32nd overall by the Tri-City Storm back in 2013. After playing with the Storm in 2013-14, the goalie was on the move, making the transition to the Waterloo Blackhawks. After 16 games in Waterloo, he was traded again, this time to the Bloomington Thunder.
Lavigne was a solid backstop for the Thunder. He finished the 2014-15 season by posting a .904 save percentage in 18 games. The next year, he improved further, playing 39 games and holding a .914 save percentage. His play helped the Bloomington Thunder reach the Clark Cup Eastern Conference Final before they lost in five games. They did so to the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
Lavigne’s breakout sophomore season pushed the 24-year-old into being the team’s starter. In 2015-16, The following year, he split duties with Strauss Mann, posting an .884 save percentage in 19 games. This past season, he played only two college games, however, was solid in both for the Wolverines. In total, through his tenure at school, Lavigne amassed a record of 31-26-7.
As recent signings, Lavigne joins Gary Haden, Jake Wahlin, Shawn Boutin, Bo Brauer and Joey Sides. This also includes Peter Quenneville. The 2020-21 season is set to begin on the fourth of December.