When it comes to goaltender Max Lacroix, where do we even begin?
He just completed his freshman year at Boston University, one of the best college hockey programs in the country, and he’s already given an induction speech at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
There are so many different directions to go with his story, even at the ripe young age of 20.
If you heard his dad Eric on Kings Of The Podcast earlier this week, you’ve already been treated to some great stories from what it was like playing in LA during the late ’90s. Dad also shared the story of how his son, Max, ended up as a goalie.
And to hear both of them explain things, it’s essentially all Peter Budaj’s fault.
“I was about five years old, and my dad was working with the Avs at the time, so I was always around the rink there for practices and games,” began Max, when we caught up with him following Kings Development Camp a few weeks ago. “Boods was one of the nicest guys. He was just kind of always taking care of me. Eventually, I said, ‘Hey Dad, I want to try that one day.’ And Boods would actually go out there on the ice with me sometimes and just kind of help me out. He got me started and was also actually my goalie coach in Colorado for two summers. So, he’s been a big part of my goalie career, for sure.”
As a forward with the Kings, Eric was named the team’s Most Popular Player following the 1995-96 season. How did the gifted winger ever concede to letting his son end up in the crease?
“It’s actually his fault because he would shoot pucks on me in the basement!” Max stated, followed by a big laugh, as he took us on a trip down memory lane. “He’s very easy going, though, he doesn’t pressure me at all. I could have played tennis if I wanted to. He would always say, ‘Whatever makes you happy.’ So, I would wear the street hockey gear in the basement. Eventually, he said, ‘Alright, you know what, I’ll let you try it on the ice’ and I loved it! I’ve just stuck with it ever since.”
Things are working out well for Max too, even if his plans took a hard left about six months ago. Originally, he was targeted to begin at BU this fall. However, one phone call advanced the timeline a bit. In a rather rare move, the Terriers added him to their roster in late December.
“It’s definitely not very common to see, so I was a little startled at first too,” shared the young netminder. “They were just looking to add some goalie depth and they called me and asked if I could come in around Christmas time last December. It’s the best decision I could have ever made. I just love the school. I love the staff and all the players too. It’s such a special group of guys — and I know it’s very cliche to say that, but honestly, I’ve never seen a tighter knit group of guys.”
Although he only had one start for BU last season, he was a full participant in every practice and with the team all the way through their run to the Frozen Four — which ended with a devastating 2-1 overtime loss to Denver in the semifinals.
“It’s just very special to be a part of that and to compete for a National Championship.” said Lacroix. “Obviously, it fell a little short at the end there, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Kings prospect Jared Wright was on that Denver team; a group that went on to win it all after beating Boston College in the final.
Lacroix could have taken the east route and stayed clear of Wright during Dev Camp in LA, but he chose to embrace the situation and says they talked quite a bit. If nothing else, they bonded over a mutual friend.
“One of my childhood best friends is on Denver,” explained Lacroix, “So I did have to live with that [loss] for a couple weeks this summer. I’m happy for my friend, but I definitely wish it could have been us at the end there.”
As for coming to LA as a Camp Invitee, the whole experience was a little surreal, especially given his familial ties to the organization.
“It’s a huge honor,” he said, with a noticeable pride in his tone of voice. “I have a few of my dad’s jerseys above my bed, and the Kings are one of them. It was very cool growing up and going to Kings games. I used to go to the playoff games, including the Western Conference Finals back when it seemed like they were always playing Chicago every year. It was very special to be in that locker room and just a huge honor to put on that logo.”
He didn’t leave with just thoughts tugging at his heartstrings, though. Lacroix was thankful for the time and wisdom shared by Bill Ranford and the Kings development staff.
“Everybody did a great job, but Bill was on the ice with us for almost every skate,” remarked Lacroix. “He did a great job with everybody individually, focusing on everyone’s game. I took away so many tools, so I was very lucky to have that experience. We worked on some things specific to my game, things that I’ve never kind of thought of before. So, to be able to put those tools in my toolbox, that’s a good thing, for sure.”
How will those tools get put to work? We’ll have to continue tracking Lacroix’s development at Boston this season and see how things just might blossom.
Oh, yeah – what about that Hall of Fame speech? Check this out:
To hear more about that moment, and how it all came together — spoiler alert: Ray Bourque is about to enter the chat too — be sure to check out Eric’s extended interview linked below.
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