Max Lajoie Bio
Maxime Lajoie is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Born on November 5, 1997, in Quebec City, Quebec, Lajoie was selected 133rd overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career in 2017 and has since represented multiple organizations across the National Hockey League (NHL), the American Hockey League (AHL), and now the KHL.
Known for his two-way play and penalty-killing responsibilities, Lajoie has built a steady career as a depth defenceman, contributing in shutdown roles and on special teams. He has suited up for the Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Seattle Kraken organizations at the NHL level, while also developing with their respective AHL affiliates.
Early Life and Background
Maxime Lajoie was born in Quebec City, Quebec, and during his early childhood his family moved to Montreal, Quebec, then to Toronto, Ontario, and later to Calgary, Alberta, before he turned seven. These early relocations exposed him to a variety of Canadian hockey cultures, with Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta all featuring prominent junior programs. Growing up in French-speaking Quebec, Lajoie’s first language is French, although he later became fully bilingual.
His exposure to organized hockey came at a young age, as is common for many Canadian children in regions where the sport is deeply embedded in community life. The time spent in multiple Canadian provinces gave Lajoie a broad understanding of different playing styles and training environments, which helped shape his development as a defenceman.
Path to Hockey
Lajoie pursued his junior hockey career with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League (WHL), joining the team after being selected 95th overall in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. He played one game in the 2013–14 season and then earned a full roster spot in 2014–15. Over his three full seasons with the Broncos, Lajoie steadily increased his points per game, demonstrating his growth as an offensive contributor from the blue line.
For his final junior season, Lajoie returned to Swift Current as an alternate captain, a leadership role that reflected his standing within the team. His development under the guidance of former NHL player and Broncos coach Mark Lamb was particularly significant. Lamb, who had previously played for the Ottawa Senators, considered Lajoie’s selection at 133rd overall in the 2016 NHL Draft a notable value pick, citing his roles as the team’s number-one penalty killer, number-one shutdown defenceman, and assistant captain.
Max Lajoie Career
Early Career (2016–2018)
After being drafted by the Ottawa Senators, Lajoie signed a three-year entry-level contract on October 3, 2016, and attended the Senators’ training camp. He began his professional career in September 2017 with the Belleville Senators of the American Hockey League. In November 2017, he was briefly assigned to the Brampton Beast of the ECHL, appearing in one game before returning to Belleville.
Lajoie earned a roster spot with the Ottawa Senators at the 2018 training camp and made his NHL debut on October 4, 2018, against the Chicago Blackhawks. In that 4–3 overtime loss, he scored a goal and added an assist, becoming the second Ottawa defenceman, after Wade Redden, to score in his NHL debut. He played 56 games for the Senators in 2018–19, recording seven goals and 15 points.
Ottawa Senators Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Lajoie’s rookie NHL season in 2018–19 established him as a promising young defenceman in the Senators organization. He appeared in 56 games, scoring seven goals and 15 points, while also playing three games with Belleville, where he registered one assist. His ability to contribute offensively while handling defensive responsibilities was a hallmark of his early play.
The following season, Lajoie began with Belleville before being recalled by Ottawa in November 2019. He made his 2019–20 season debut on November 22 in a 4–1 victory over the New York Rangers. After playing six scoreless games with the Senators, he was returned to Belleville in December. He finished the season in the AHL, posting four goals and 17 points in 48 games before the league suspended play in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Carolina Hurricanes Era (2021–2023)
On January 12, 2021, Lajoie was traded by the Ottawa Senators to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Clark Bishop. He was assigned directly to the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, where he played 27 games, scoring six goals and 21 points. He was later recalled during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, making his Hurricanes and playoff debut in Game 3, a double-overtime 5–4 loss to the Nashville Predators on May 21.
During the 2021–22 season, Lajoie appeared in five NHL games with Carolina before being returned to Chicago. With the Wolves, he played 60 games, scoring four goals and 33 points, and added four goals and eight points in the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs. He won the 2022 Calder Cup with Chicago, scoring the game-winning goal in the clinching victory over the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Hurricanes re-signed him to a one-year contract on August 6, 2022. Named captain of the Wolves for 2022–23, Lajoie was selected for the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic and recorded 11 goals and 45 points in 63 games.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken (2023–2025)
Following three seasons with the Hurricanes organization, Lajoie signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, 2023. After attending training camp, he was placed on waivers and assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. He was recalled by the Maple Leafs on November 4 after an injury to Timothy Liljegren and made his season debut that night against the Buffalo Sabres. Lajoie appeared in seven games with Toronto, registering one assist, while spending most of the season with the Marlies, where he posted four goals and 24 points in 56 games.
As an unrestricted free agent, Lajoie signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 1, 2024. After going unclaimed on waivers, he was assigned to the Kraken’s AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, to begin the 2024–25 season.
Avangard Omsk Era (2025–Present)
After completing his contract with the Kraken, Lajoie opted to pursue a career abroad, signing a one-year deal with Russian club Avangard Omsk of the KHL on July 22, 2025. The move marked his first professional engagement outside of North America.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a defenceman, Lajoie is recognized for his shutdown capabilities, penalty-killing reliability, and steady two-way play. His coaches have highlighted his dependability in defensive-zone situations and his ability to log important minutes against opposing top lines. Throughout his career, he has continued to develop his offensive game, contributing points from the blue line at both the NHL and AHL levels.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Lajoie’s most memorable early achievements came on October 4, 2018, when he scored a goal and an assist in his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming only the second Ottawa defenceman, after Wade Redden, to score in his first NHL game. In 2022, he scored the game-winning goal in the Calder Cup clinching victory for the Chicago Wolves. He was also named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic during his captaincy of the Wolves.
Max Lajoie Career Wins
Max Lajoie’s most prominent team accomplishment is the 2022 Calder Cup championship, won with the Chicago Wolves, the AHL affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes. He also contributed to playoff runs with the Hurricanes organization during the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs and the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs.
NHL and AHL Highlights
In the NHL, Lajoie has appeared in games for the Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs. His most productive NHL season came in 2018–19, when he scored seven goals and 15 points in 56 games with Ottawa. In the AHL, his strongest statistical season came in 2022–23 with the Chicago Wolves, when he recorded 11 goals and 45 points in 63 games and was named to the AHL All-Star Classic.
Other Wins & Performances
Lajoie’s 2022 Calder Cup victory with the Chicago Wolves stands as the centerpiece of his professional trophy case. He was also recognized at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic, a notable individual honour during his captaincy of the Wolves. His selection to play in that classic highlighted his standing among the league’s top defencemen that season.
Max Lajoie Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Maxime Lajoie’s family background are not widely documented in public sources. He was born in Quebec City, Quebec, and his family relocated several times during his early childhood, moving through Montreal, Toronto, and Calgary before he turned seven.
Personal Life
Public information about Lajoie’s personal life is limited. He is known to be bilingual in French and English, a reflection of his Quebec roots and his career spent in English-speaking hockey markets across North America.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marks Maxime Lajoie’s first campaign with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, following his decision to pursue professional hockey abroad after his contract with the Seattle Kraken expired. Signed to a one-year deal on July 22, 2025, Lajoie joined a competitive Russian league known for its high level of play and international roster.
The move to the KHL represents a fresh chapter in Lajoie’s career, offering him the opportunity to compete in a different hockey environment while continuing to develop his two-way game. His track record as a reliable shutdown defenceman and his experience in special-teams roles position him as a valuable addition to Avangard Omsk’s blue line.
As the season progresses, Lajoie’s performance in the KHL will be closely watched by fans in both North America and Europe. His ability to adapt to the international style of play and contribute to Avangard Omsk’s defensive structure will be key factors in his continued professional growth.