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Patrick Lalime

Patrick Lalime is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and current broadcaster.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Patrick Lalime is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and current broadcaster. He played 12 NHL seasons for five teams, including the Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins, before moving into television analysis in French-language sports media.

Early life and junior hockey

Lalime was born in Saint-Bonaventure, Quebec, and played junior hockey in Quebec before turning professional. He began his junior career with the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

NHL career

Lalime made his NHL debut in 1996 and went on to play for five teams over 12 seasons. His career included stops with Pittsburgh, Ottawa, St. Louis, Chicago, and Buffalo, and he became known primarily as a goaltender.

Ottawa Senators years

Lalime is best remembered for his time with the Ottawa Senators, where he spent five seasons and recorded his highest-profile team successes. He was part of Ottawa's strong early-2000s playoff runs and set a Senators single-season wins record of 39 in 2002–03.

Broadcasting career

After retiring in 2011, Lalime moved into television work as a hockey analyst. He has worked in French-language sports broadcasting, including coverage related to the Ottawa Senators and later the Montreal Canadiens and the NHL.

Key facts

  • Played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League.
  • Won 200 NHL games in 444 regular-season appearances.
  • Posted a career 2.58 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.
  • Played his longest stint with the Ottawa Senators.
  • Retired from playing in 2011 and became a broadcaster.
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Canadian context

Lalime is from Quebec and is closely associated with Canadian hockey, especially his years with the Ottawa Senators and his later work in French-language sports broadcasting.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Patrick Lalime?
Patrick Lalime is a Canadian former NHL goaltender and sports broadcaster best known for his time with the Ottawa Senators.
What position did Patrick Lalime play?
He played as a goaltender.
Which NHL teams did Patrick Lalime play for?
He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, and Buffalo Sabres.
When was Patrick Lalime drafted?
He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 156th overall.
When did Patrick Lalime retire?
He retired from professional hockey in 2011.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Lalime
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, NHL teams, retirement from playing, and transition to broadcasting.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/501/patrick-lalime
    Supports: Birthplace, draft information, position, and NHL career statistics.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/6787051/patrick-lalime-buffalo-sabres-retires-nhl
    Supports: Retirement year, teams, career totals, and post-playing broadcasting role.
  4. The Hockey News — https://thehockeynews.com/news/news/patrick-lalime-the-rookie-goalie-who-wouldnt-lose
    Supports: Overview of his early NHL breakthrough and notable rookie-season run.