Jeremy Lauzon has carved out a unique spot on the Vegas Golden Knights roster, known for his physical style and willingness to drop the gloves. While his aggressive play has occasionally led to untimely penalties, it’s now etched his name in the team’s record books. Lauzon recently set a new single-season record for penalty minutes with the Knights, surpassing the previous mark held by the hard-hitting Ryan Reaves.
In a game on Saturday, Lauzon racked up 14 penalty minutes, bringing his season total to 78. This was enough to break Reaves's 2018-19 record of 74 penalty minutes, a feat many thought would stand for a while given Reaves's reputation for toughness.
Lauzon’s readiness to engage in fights, including a memorable bout with Matt Rempe, underscores his commitment to standing up for his teammates. It was this very commitment that led to a misconduct penalty on Saturday, pushing him past Reaves’s record. His physical play is further evidenced by his 200 hits this season alone.
Looking at his career, Lauzon has delivered 1,332 hits over eight NHL seasons. While this aggressive approach has resulted in penalties for actions like cross-checking and roughing, it’s also about protecting teammates and wearing down opponents.
Though not part of the Golden Knights' strategic playbook, Lauzon's record is a testament to his role on the ice. While other players, like Pavel Dorofeyev, may chase goal records, Lauzon’s place in team history is secured through his gritty style and dedication to his team.