The New York Rangers have offered former NHL forward Maxim Lapierre a professional tryout at this year’s training camp, TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reported on Wednesday.
Now official, Maxim Lapierre will be at the #rangers training camp on a tryout. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 27, 2016
Lapierre, 31, spent parts of the 2015-16 season in Sweden and Switzerland. In 34 games with Modo of the Swedish Hockey League, he registered eight goals and 19 points. Lapierre also played six games with HC Lugano of Switzerland’s National League A, tallying two goals and four points.
Lapierre last played in the NHL during the 2014-15 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins and posted two assists in 35 regular season games before appearing in five playoff contests. In 614 career NHL games, Lapierre has tallied 65 goals, 139 points and 586 penalty minutes.
Lapierre’s invitation to Rangers training camp gives him the opportunity to reunite with head coach Alain Vigneault, who coached Lapierre during three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks from 2010 until 2013.
During his NHL career, Lapierre was best known as a penalty killer who made a name of himself as an effective agitator to opposing players.
In May, it was reported that Lapierre sought to return to the NHL and would even consider a two-way contract.
Steven is a lawyer and writer with a passion for the game of hockey. He’s the Lead Writer covering the Tampa Bay Lightning with THW. He’s also been press credentialed through the Lightning since 2016. His work has been published at The Fourth Period, LightningInsider.com, Bolt Prospects, The Sports Daily Network, U.S. College Hockey Online and College Hockey News. He’s had radio appearances on TSN 690 in Montreal, Lightning Power Play Live and multiple podcasts to give insight and analysis on the team. He can be reached on Twitter @StevenDiOssi and by email at sdiossi@gmail.com.