Jérémy Lauzon

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Jérémy Lauzon

| image = {{CSS image crop |Image=Roman Josi, Jérémy Lauzon, Jordan Gross 2022.jpg|bSize=400 |cWidth=230 |cHeight=210 |oTop=0 |oLeft=80 |Location=center}}

| image_size = 230

| caption = Lauzon with the Nashville Predators in 2022

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|4|28}}

| birth_place = Val-d'Or, Quebec, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lbs = 204

| position = Defence

| shoots = Left

| league = NHL

| team = Nashville Predators

| prospect_team =

| prospect_league = AHL

| former_teams = Boston Bruins
Seattle Kraken

| ntl_team =

| draft = 52nd overall

| draft_year = 2015

| draft_team = Boston Bruins

| career_start = 2017

| career_end =

}}

Jérémy Lauzon (born April 28, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Lauzon was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the second round (52nd overall) in the 2015 NHL entry draft. He also spent time playing for the Seattle Kraken during their inaugural season.

A notably physical defenceman, Lauzon at one point held the NHL record for most hits in a season.

Playing career

After two seasons with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), Lauzon was selected in the second round (52nd overall) by the Boston Bruins in the 2015 NHL entry draft.

Lauzon was returned to the Huskies for the 2015–16 season. On November 12, 2015, the Bruins signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract.{{cite web |title=Bruins Sign DeBrusk, Lauzon and Senyshyn to Entry-Level Contracts |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-sign-debrusk-lauzon-and-senyshyn-to-entry-level-contracts/c-787581 |website=NHL.com |access-date=November 19, 2018 |date=November 12, 2015}} That season, Lauzon was named to the QMJHL 2nd All-Star Team.{{cite web |title=The Golden Puck Awards: an unforgettable evening! |url=http://theqmjhl.ca/the-golden-puck-awards-an-unforgettable-evening-3/ |website=theqmjhl.ca |access-date=November 19, 2018 |date=April 6, 2016}}

Lauzon joined the Bruins' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins, for the 2017–18 season. He missed 22 games due to a concussion.{{cite web |last1=Quattrucci |first1=Chris |title=P-Bruins & McIntyre Bounce Back, Lauzon Returns |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/providence-bruins-lauzon-mcintyre/ |website=thehockeywriters.com |access-date=November 19, 2018 |date=January 27, 2018}} Lauzon finished the season with one goal and six assists in 52 games.

Lauzon made his NHL debut during the 2018–19 season on October 25, 2018, in a 3–0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.{{cite web |last1=Alden |first1=Doug |title=Chara scores twice, Halak stops 26 and Bruins top Flyers 3-0 |url=https://apnews.com/c6eaba14575c43a2a03ac23009cb6b80 |website=AP News |access-date=October 25, 2018}} On November 11, he scored his first career NHL goal against Malcolm Subban in a 4–1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.{{cite web |last1=Haggerty |first1=Joe |title=Jeremy Lauzon shines as injury fill-in with first NHL goal |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/bruins/jeremy-lauzon-shines-injury-fill-first-nhl-goal |website=NBC Sports Boston |date=November 12, 2018 |access-date=November 12, 2018}} In total, Lauzon skated in 16 games for Boston, as well as 29 in Providence.

On February 9, 2020, Lauzon was given a two-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Arizona Coyotes' forward Derek Stepan the previous night.{{cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=James |title=Bruins' Lauzon suspended two games for hit on Coyotes' Stepan |url=https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/02/09/bruins-jeremy-lauzon-suspended-two-games-for-hit-on-coyotes-derek-stepan/ |website=NBC Sports |date=February 9, 2020 |access-date=February 9, 2020}} On February 14, the Bruins signed Lauzon to a two-year, $1.7 million contract extension.{{cite web |title=Bruins Sign Jeremy Lauzon To Two-Year Contract Extension |url=https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-sign-jeremy-lauzon-to-two-year-contract-extension/c-315066228 |website=NHL.com |access-date=February 24, 2021 |date=February 14, 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Mullen |first1=Logan |title=Bruins Sign Pending RFA Defenseman Jeremy Lauzon to Contract Extension |url=https://nesn.com/2020/02/bruins-sign-pending-rfa-defenseman-jeremy-lauzon-to-contract-extension/ |website=NESN |date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2020}} Shortly after inking his extension, Lauzon suffered a broken hand, which required surgery to repair.{{cite web | url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2021/02/24/jeremy-lauzon-hand-injury-timeline/ | title=Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon out at least a month with broken hand}} The injury sidelined the rising defenseman for over a month.

On July 21, 2021, Lauzon was selected from the Bruins at the 2021 NHL expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/seattle-kraken-2021-expansion-draft-running-blog/c-325707088 | title = Seattle Kraken make their picks | publisher = Seattle Kraken | date = July 22, 2021 | accessdate = July 22, 2021}}

On March 20, 2022, just days before the trade deadline, Lauzon was traded by Seattle to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2022 second-round draft pick.{{cite web |url= https://www.tsn.ca/jeremy-lauzon-nashville-predators-seattle-kraken-trade-1.1773935?tsn-amp |title= Predators acquire D Lauzon in trade with Kraken |publisher= TSN.ca |date= March 20, 2022 |accessdate= March 20, 2022}}

On June 13, 2022, the Predators signed Lauzon to a 4-year, $8 million contract.{{cite web | url=https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nhl/predators-sign-defenseman-lauzon-to-4-year-$8-million-deal | title=Predators sign defenseman Lauzon to 4 year, $8 million deal}}

On April 15, 2024, Lauzon set the NHL record for most hits in a season, with 383 hits, in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, passing Matt Martin's previously record-holding 382, set in the 2014–15 season.{{cite news | url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-lauzon-sets-nhl-record-for-hits-with-massive-final-game | title=Predators' Lauzon Sets NHL Record for Hits with Massive Final Game | newspaper=The Hockey News Nashville Predators News, Analysis and More}}

Playing style

Lauzon is a very physical player, and a powerful enforcer, known for his tendency to hit other players whenever he gets the chance. During the 2023–24 season, Lauzon had more 10-hit games (3) than no-hit games (2).{{cite news | url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/predators-lauzon-sets-nhl-record-for-hits-with-massive-final-game | title=Predators' Lauzon Sets NHL Record for Hits with Massive Final Game | newspaper=The Hockey News Nashville Predators News, Analysis and More}}

Personal life

Lauzon has two younger brothers. Zachary was selected in the second round, 51st overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 NHL entry draft.{{cite web |title=Penguins Select Defenseman Zachary Lauzon in the 2017 NHL draft |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/zachary-lauzon-pittsburgh-penguins-nhl-draft/c-290123354 |website=Pittsburgh Penguins |date=June 24, 2017 |access-date=June 24, 2017}} The two were teammates with the Huskies. However, Zachary retired in September 2019 due to concussion symptoms.{{cite web |last1=Lalancette |first1=Mikaël |title=Zachary Lauzon is Preparing For His Second Life |url=https://www.tvasports.ca/2019/09/11/zachary-lauzon-se-prepare-pour-sa-deuxieme-vie |website=TVA Sports |date=September 11, 2019 |access-date=September 11, 2019}} Their youngest brother, Émile, currently plays for the Val-d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL. His younger sister, Amélie, plays civil volleyball with the Gatineau Griffons.