Maxim Lapierre Canadian hockey player center forward Date of Birth: 29.03.1985 Country: Canada

1. Maxime Lapierre: A Journey Through the NHL and Beyond
2. Junior Career
3. Montreal Canadiens
4. Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks
5. St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins
6. MODO
7. Playing Style

Maxime Lapierre: A Journey Through the NHL and Beyond

Maxime Lapierre is a Canadian professional ice hockey center currently playing for HC Lugano in the Swiss National League (NL). He was selected 61st overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and has since played for the Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Junior Career

Lapierre was drafted 25th overall by the Montreal Rocket in the 2001 QMJHL Entry Draft. However, he played only nine games for the Rocket in the 2001-02 season, spending most of it with Cap-de-la-Madeleine Estacades in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMAAA).

In 2002-03, Lapierre earned a regular spot in the Rocket's lineup, finishing fifth on the team with 22 goals. He also participated in the 2003 CHL Top Prospects Game, an annual scouting event for the NHL Entry Draft.

The Rocket relocated to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in 2003, becoming the Prince Edward Island Rocket (PEI Rocket). Lapierre was a key player for the Rocket in the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons, finishing third and second in team scoring, respectively.

Montreal Canadiens

Lapierre was selected by the Montreal Canadiens 61st overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft but did not sign a contract with the team until July 28, 2005. He spent the majority of the 2005-06 season with the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, before making his NHL debut on November 15, 2005, against the Florida Panthers.

Lapierre made his first significant impact on the Canadiens' lineup in the 2006-07 season. After recording a hat-trick for the Bulldogs, he was recalled to Montreal and notched his first NHL point in his first game back, an assist in a 4-3 win over the Boston Bruins. Two days later, he scored his first NHL goal against Marc Denis of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canadiens missed the 2007 playoffs, and Lapierre returned to the Bulldogs, helping them win the Calder Cup in a five-game series against the Hershey Bears.

Lapierre started the 2007-08 season in the AHL but was called up to Montreal in early December. He remained in the NHL for the rest of the season, playing a key role in the Canadiens' first-place finish in the Eastern Conference. He made his playoff debut on April 10, 2008, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Bruins. Lapierre signed a two-year contract extension with the Canadiens on June 9, 2008.

In the 2008-09 season, Lapierre started as a regular in the Canadiens' lineup. He recorded his first NHL hat-trick on December 29, 2008, against the Florida Panthers and was named the game's second star.

Lapierre received his first NHL suspension in the 2009-10 season for a hit on San Jose Sharks forward Scott Nichol. The suspension was for four games, and Lapierre was fined $14,000.

Lapierre signed a one-year contract with the Canadiens in the summer of 2010. However, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks on December 31, 2010, for Brett Festerling and a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks

Lapierre's tenure with the Ducks lasted only two months. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in February 2011 in exchange for McGregor Sharp, Joel Perrault, and a third-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Lapierre played a pivotal role in the Canucks' run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011, scoring the game-winning goal in Game 5 of the series against the Boston Bruins. However, the Bruins won the next two games to capture the Stanley Cup.

Lapierre signed a two-year contract with the Canucks on June 27, 2011. He set a career high in penalty minutes in the 2011-12 season with 130 and fought seven times, including twice against Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader.

Lapierre was without a contract during the 2012-13 lockout and did not play for any non-NHL teams during that time.

St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins

Lapierre signed a two-year contract with the St. Louis Blues on July 5, 2013, after failing to come to terms with the Canucks on a contract extension. He was suspended for five games in the 2013-14 season for a hit on San Jose Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle.

Lapierre started the 2014-15 season with the Blues but was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 27, 2015, for forward Marcel Goc.

MODO

Lapierre signed a one-year contract with MODO of the Swedish Hockey League on September 1, 2015, after failing to secure an NHL contract in the offseason.

Playing Style

Lapierre is known as a third- and fourth-line grinder. He is a versatile forward who can play center or wing and is an agitator on the ice, drawing penalties from opponents with his physical play, trash talk, and cheap shots.