ECHL: Jack LaFontaine and Jackson Jutting Head Overseas

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Armand Klisivitch | Last updated Jul 7, 2026 12:59 PM ET

Kansas City Mavericks forward Jackson Jutting and goaltender Jack LaFontaine are both heading overseas for the 2026-27 season. This is the third player from the Mavericks to take the overseas route, following Ryan Jones, who headed overseas in June.

Jack LaFontaine

LaFontaine, 28, is heading overseas to Germany to join Eisbären Berlin (DEL) after spending his first five seasons in North America, having been drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft. He has spent the majority of his career in the ECHL, where he’s posted a 71-27-8 record with a 2.61 GAA, .912 SV%, and 11 shutouts in 115 games while playing for the Norfolk Admirals, Orlando Solar Bears, and Kansas City Mavericks. In 38 Kelly Cup Playoff games with the Mavericks, he’s 23-12-2 with a 2.16 GAA, .929SV%, and five shutouts. He has helped Kansas City reach the Kelly Cup Finals twice in the last three seasons. This is a massive loss for the Mavericks, as they’ve now lost both of their top two goaltenders from last year to overseas teams.

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The Mississauga, Ontario, native has also played 45 games at the AHL level with the Chicago Wolves, Syracuse Crunch, and Coachella Valley Firebirds, posting a 12-5-9 record and a 2.52 GAA. .906 SV% and two shutouts. LaFontaine saw two games with the Hurricanes during the 2021-22 season.

Jackson Jutting

Jutting, 25, is heading overseas to Sweden to join Modo Hockey (HA) after spending the majority of his rookie season with the Mavericks. In 66 games with Kansas City, he put up 30 goals and 29 assists for 59 points and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie Team. His 30 goals would lead the Mavericks during the regular season. He added eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in 17 Kelly Cup Playoff games. The Savage, Minnesota, native also played in four AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he had an assist.

✍️ JJ är klar.#modose pic.twitter.com/seLtyjivah
— MoDo Hockey (@MoDo_Hockey) July 7, 2026

Prior to going pro, Jutting spent five years playing in the NCAA. He spent his first two seasons at Colorado College, where he had four goals and nine assists for 13 points in 54 games, before transferring to Bemidji State University for his final three seasons of eligibility. Over the course of his three seasons with the Beavers, he put up 28 goals and 28 assists for 56 points in 98 games. Jutting was named the CCHA Best Defensive Forward in 2024 and 2025.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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