I Must Have Some Sort of 'Blocker' to Protect My Sweater from "Lamothe"

[IrbeFan4Life]

And here we have it, the newest addition to the perpetually ongoing goalie museum project. Don't forget to "LIKE" Bruce C. Goaltending Museum on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to show your support.

Anyways, onto the show!

Born on February 27, 1974 in New Liskeard, Ontario in Canada, this goalie was a competent stopper for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL from 1991-1994. His name, Marc Lamothe. Drafted 92nd overall by Montreal in the 1992 NHL draft, Lamothe transitioned to the pro ranks in 1994 splitting time with the Wheeling Thunderbirds of the ECHL and the Fredericton Canadiens of the AHL. After two seasons, he was eventually signed as a free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks and assumed split starting duties with the Indianapolis Ice of the IHL for three seasons, as well as a single playoff game with the Detroit Vipers in the same league in 1999. With Cleveland of the IHL in 1999-00, Lamothe assumed full starting duties and delivered competently, eventually earning a call-up to the Blackhawks roster. Then, of course, that moment happened. On November 27, 1999 after an injury to Jocelyn Thibault, Lamothe was placed between the pipes against the St. Louis Blues. Ultimately his debut did not go overly well as he surrendered seven goals on just eighteen shots in the team's 8-3 loss. On December 4 of the same year, he started once more and did significantly better, stopping 22 of 25 shots in a 9-3 victory against Boston. After being signed by the Blue Jackets the following season, he remained in the AHL for two more seasons before the Detroit Red Wings took a chance on him. After a season with Detroit's minor affiliate, Lamothe got two more additional chances between the pipes, posting excellent numbers in each of his two games, however, with the NHL lock-out in effect, Lamothe went to Russia to play and there he remained for seasons before playing in two final seasons in the Finnish Elite League and German Elite League before finally retiring at the end of the 2010-11 season.

In his NHL career, Lamothe appeared in 4 games, recording a 2-1-1 record with a 3.24GAA, and a 0.880% save average. He appeared in no NHL playoff games.

The piece you are looking at right now is a photomatched Heaton Helite 5 blocker used by Marc Lamothe quite possibly in his first two NHL games in 1999-00. Wear is decent with puck marks scattered throughout.

Acquired from: Fellow collector Frank Palermo

Dates of Game Use:
November 27, 1999 v St. Louis (11-18, 8-3L)
December 4, 1999 v Boston (22-25, 9-3W)

Photomatched: Yes

[creasecollector]

Great story, great blocker !