Frontenacs acquire Kingston native, Blue Jackets prospect Nolan Lalonde from SaginawThe Kingston Frontenacs closed-out the week with a big move, adding Memorial Cup champion Nolan Lalonde in a trade with the Saginaw Spirit in a deal that was announced Friday afternoon.
Lalonde, who hails from Kingston, returns home having helped the Spirit throughout the OHL Playoffs and into the Memorial Cup. The Frontenacs gave up a conditional 15th round pick in 2026 in the swap, a pick that becomes a third-round pick (Guelph’s) in 2027 and seventh-round pick (Kingston’s) in 2025 if Lalonde plays one OHL game during the 2024-25 season.
“Nolan is an outstanding addition to our team for many reasons.” said Frontenacs General Manager Kory Cooper. “As an NHL signed goaltender, he obviously possesses incredible talent. Pairing Nolan with Mason (Vaccari) will give us one of the best goaltending tandems in the OHL. Nolan also brings a winning pedigree into our locker room coming off a Memorial Cup Championship with the Spirit.”
Signed as a free agent by Columbus in October 2022, Lalonde started the 2023-24 season in Erie before being dealt to the Spirit as part of a three-way deal that also included the Sarnia Sting in October. In 32 games with Saginaw, Lalonde went 21-6-0-1 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .874 save percentage. He strung together 16 consecutive wins between November 3rd and February 21st, setting a new Spirit franchise mark, also marking the OHL’s longest such streak by a goaltender since Matthew Villalta in 2017-18.
“This was a hard move to make given what Nolan did for us this season and the person he is,” said Spirit GM Dave Drinkill. “I’m glad that, should he be returned to the league, he gets to play in his hometown. The whole organization is so grateful for his time here and wishes him the best as he continues his hockey career.”
Lalonde came up big for the Spirit in the playoffs, backstopping them past the Soo Greyhounds in their seven-game second round series. He finished the postseason with a 2.79 goals-against average, .893 save percentage and 5-7 record over 12 outings.
Lalonde fittingly got to play hero one more time during the 2024 Memorial Cup presented by Dow. In the Semi-Final game against Moose Jaw, Lalonde stepped in while Andrew Oke left the ice with an equipment issue. Lalonde made his final save in a Spirit uniform, relinquished his crease back to Oke, and lifted the Memorial Cup two days later.
Originally a third-round pick by the Erie Otters in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection, Lalonde has played to a career regular season mark of 56-53-5-6 with a 3.68 goals-against average and .872 save percentage over 131 games.
“His experience and leadership will be a great addition to our dressing room.” Fronts GM Cooper added. “I’ve known Nolan for a long time, and he has outstanding leadership qualities. The bonus is being able to bring in a local player that loves our city and is already involved in our community. Getting Nolan is a win for us both on and off the ice.”
Forever a Saginaw Spirit ❤️ Forever a champion 💙
Thank you, Nolan. pic.twitter.com/ydLuj54FZJ
— Saginaw Spirit (@SpiritHockey) June 21, 2024
