After an excellent 2024-25 campaign, Utah has signed Lavoie to an entry-level contract on April 2, 2025. The 6-4, 215lb defenseman ranked second in goals, tied for first in game-winning goals and fourth in assists, points, and power-play assists among QMJHL blueliners during the regular season. Lavoie finished the year with 15 goals and 55 points in 60 games. Despite signing his ELC, Lavoie is most likely to return for a fourth year in the Q before turning pro. Keith Duggan

Lavoie is off to a red-hot start to 2024-25 offensively, putting up six goals and 20 points in 21 games for Cape Breton. With excellent size, Lavoie was considered more of a defensive defenseman but he’s quickly changing scout’s minds with his play so far. Lavoie is now showing the potential Cape Breton hoped to see when the drafted him first overall at the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft. Returning from Utah training camp, Lavoie said the experience boosted his confidence and he was fully ready for his third campaign in the Q. Some highlights from his first NHL training camp were appearing in one preseason game, a 5-3 Utah win where Lavoie had two shots on net. He also learned a lot from older vets, especially Kevin Connauton and Robert Bortuzzo who really took the young Lavoie under their wing. The extra confidence propelled him to start the season off with 12 points in his first eight games with Cape Breton.

Utah Hockey Club drafted Lavoie in the third-round, 89th overall.

Lavoie is the QMJHL defender to end all QMJHL defenders. He’s the prototype of that league’s usual product. Not the most mobile, not the most skilled, and far from the most intelligent, but you just can’t get past him. His area of influence is massive, with a large wingspan and a long stick that combine very well to make opponents think they’ve got a lane before he closes it in a blink. He’s physical as well, unafraid and even sometimes too eager to throw the body. The lack of vision, awareness and play-selection makes him spend more time in his own zone, which just further pushes him down a path that won’t see him improve his puck skills. He’s destined to be a pure shutdown defender. I’m not sure it’s enough to make him an NHLer, but time will tell.