Laurent Dauphin Bio
Laurent Dauphin is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League. Born on March 27, 1995, in Repentigny, Quebec, Dauphin was selected in the second round, 39th overall, by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has since played in both the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League, including stints with the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes organizations.
Early Life and Background
Laurent Dauphin was born in Repentigny, Quebec, and grew up in the Quebec junior hockey system. As a youth he played in the 2007 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament representing a minor team from Lanaudière Ouest, establishing himself early in competitive regional play.
Dauphin moved through Quebec development programs, appearing with Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix of the Ligue de hockey Midget AAA du Québec where he became the first player in franchise history to record 100 points and was named MVP at the 2012 Telus Cup. He then spent three seasons with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, compiling 186 points in 170 QMJHL games before turning professional.
Path to Hockey
Dauphin’s combination of scoring touch and defensive responsibility at the midget and major junior levels drew NHL interest and led to his selection in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes with the 39th overall pick. Internationally, he represented Canada at junior events, including the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was part of Canada’s gold-medal squad at the U18 level.
Following his QMJHL career, Dauphin transitioned to professional hockey beginning in 2015. Early assignments to American Hockey League affiliates allowed him to develop his two-way game while remaining available for NHL call-ups with parent clubs.
Laurent Dauphin Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
Dauphin made his NHL debut during the 2015–16 season and recorded his first NHL goal on January 4, 2016, against the Vancouver Canucks. That appearance came as Dauphin began to split time between the National Hockey League and the American Hockey League while establishing himself as a reliable depth forward.
In his early professional years Dauphin spent time with AHL affiliates while under contract to the Coyotes organization, gaining experience in a professional locker room and refining a defensive-aware center’s responsibilities that would become a feature of his play at the next levels.
NHL and AHL Development (2017–2019)
On June 23, 2017, Dauphin was traded during the NHL Entry Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks alongside Connor Murphy in exchange for Niklas Hjalmarsson. After attending Blackhawks training camp, he was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs for the 2017–18 season. Less than a year later he was dealt back to the Coyotes organization, in a trade that returned him to Arizona alongside Richard Pánik.
During the 2018–19 season Dauphin served as an alternate captain for the Tucson Roadrunners and produced 20 points in 34 AHL games while remaining on the periphery of the NHL, making a single appearance for Arizona on January 10, 2019. His AHL leadership and scoring pace with Tucson underscored his value as a depth forward able to contribute offensively in the minors and step into NHL roles as needed.
Milwaukee and Nashville Transactions (2019–2020)
On February 8, 2019, Dauphin was traded by the Coyotes, along with Adam Helewka, to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Emil Pettersson. While with the Predators’ AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, he signed a one-year, two-way contract extension later that month, remaining with Milwaukee through the 2019 portion of his career.
Continuing with the Admirals into the 2019–20 season, Dauphin registered seven goals and 16 points in 33 games before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens on January 7, 2020, in exchange for Michael McCarron. The move returned him to a Canadian organization and set up his next NHL opportunities.
Montreal Canadiens Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Dauphin re-signed with the Montreal Canadiens on June 21, 2021, to a one-year, two-way contract. The 2021–22 season provided him his most substantial NHL playing time since 2017, as injuries in the Canadiens lineup created extended opportunities for depth centers. He played a career-high twenty-fifth NHL game during that stretch and described playing for the Canadiens as a longtime personal goal.
That period showcased Dauphin’s ability to adapt to NHL shifts, contribute on special teams assignments when called upon, and provide veteran composure despite limited top-line minutes. His time in Montreal combined AHL scoring and NHL serviceable center play, reinforcing his profile as a dependable organizational forward.
Arizona Coyotes Return (2022–2023)
As a free agent, Dauphin returned to the Arizona Coyotes organization on July 13, 2022, signing a one-year, two-way contract. In the 2022–23 season he split time between the Tucson Roadrunners and the Coyotes, appearing in 21 NHL games and contributing a goal while continuing to play a top-four forward role at the AHL level.
The return to Arizona illustrated how Dauphin’s versatility—able to play center and wing and to take defensive zone draws—keeps him in demand for organizations managing injuries and roster transitions across the NHL and AHL.
HC Ambrì-Piotta and Laval Rocket Era (2023–Present)
On June 1, 2023, Dauphin signed an optional two-year contract with Swiss National League club HC Ambrì-Piotta, marking his first professional contract outside North America. He represented Ambrì-Piotta at the 2023 Spengler Cup, recording three points in the group stage before the team’s quarterfinal exit.
Dauphin returned to North America and signed a one-year AHL contract with the Laval Rocket on July 1, 2024, a club he had previously represented between 2019 and 2022. During the subsequent Calder Cup playoffs he was signed to a two-year contract extension, securing his place with Laval for the near term and signaling the organization’s interest in his experience and depth contributions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Laurent Dauphin plays a two-way, defensively responsible style, pairing solid puck skills with situational awareness in his own zone. He is valued for faceoff support, versatility across forward positions, and the capacity to provide secondary scoring at the AHL level while stepping into NHL depth roles when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Dauphin’s career include his first NHL goal on January 4, 2016, his role as alternate captain for the Tucson Roadrunners in 2018–19, and his participation in the Spengler Cup with HC Ambrì-Piotta in 2023. Multiple trades and re-signings illustrate the demand for his adaptable, team-oriented play across organizations.
Laurent Dauphin Career Wins
Rather than traditional “wins,” Dauphin’s career highlights are best measured by notable scoring and competitive milestones across the AHL, NHL and international junior play. He has recorded scoring contributions at each level and has been repeatedly signed for his depth, leadership and two-way capabilities.
AHL Highlights
In the American Hockey League Dauphin has produced productive stints with affiliates including Tucson, Milwaukee and Laval. He recorded 20 points in 34 AHL games for the Tucson Roadrunners in 2018–19 and later added steady offensive work with the Milwaukee Admirals and Laval Rocket, providing veteran scoring and leadership in playoff pushes.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Internationally, Dauphin helped Canada capture gold at the 2013 IIHF World U18 Championships and represented Canada at the 2012 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. His participation in the 2023 Spengler Cup with HC Ambrì-Piotta added European competition to his résumé, where he tallied three group-stage points.
Laurent Dauphin Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Laurent Dauphin was raised in Repentigny, Quebec, and progressed through local and provincial development programs that feed major junior clubs in Quebec. Public sources provided for this profile identify his junior and professional pathway but do not detail family members or a broader hockey lineage.
Personal Life
Public records supplied for this profile do not list a spouse or children. Dauphin’s public identity is centered on his professional hockey career and his movement between AHL and NHL organizations.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Dauphin is under a two-year extension with the Laval Rocket after returning from Europe. The extension came during the Calder Cup playoffs, reflecting the Rocket’s intent to retain his experience and depth for the club’s immediate plans.
For 2025 the storyline centers on Dauphin serving as a veteran option capable of leadership in the AHL and as a call-up forward for NHL partners. His blend of two-way responsibility, faceoff ability and prior NHL experience positions him to be a reliable organizational player through the length of his current contract.