Getting to Know the Arizona Coyotes: Louis Domingue

On January 15, 2015 the Arizona Coyotes traded goaltender Devan Dubnyk to the Minnesota Wild for a third round pick.

This move solidifies Mike Smith’s position as the leader between the pipes for the Coyotes this season but more importantly provides an open slot for a goaltender to sit behind him. With the backup goaltending position needing to be filled the Coyotes had to act fast. The obvious choice would be Mark Visentin who has already seen time on NHL ice and is considered next in line to the goaltending throne. But with his injury earlier this season, the hope of his appearance would ultimately be scratched. Mike Lee from the Gwinnett Gladiators was the first goaltender to get the call to Arizona as he posted up on the bench for a few games before being sent back down. Mike McKenna from the Portland Pirates was next up as he received the nod to back up Smith a couple weeks ago but would only be a temporary replacement. With McKenna being sent back down to the minors, a new face emerged from the Coyotes farm system.

Enter Louis Domingue

Louis Domingue received the call on January 31st to pack his bags and head from Gwinnett, Georgia to Glendale, Arizona for some NHL action. This would ultimately be Domingue’s first taste of NHL competition. Since the 22 year old is not a household name in the organization just yet, Howlin’ Hockey will catch you up to speed.

Wildcats, Remparts, and the QMJHL

Louis Domingue burst on to the hockey scene in 2008 at the ripe age of sixteen for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. While sitting out for his initial season, Domingue began to see ice time in 2009. In his first official QMJHL season Louis spent time with both the Moncton Wildcats and the Quebec Remparts. In that year with both squads, Domingue would post a 20-17-0 record with a .897 save percentage and a 2.68 goals against average.

That following summer in 2010 would be a bit special for Louis Domingue. With the 138th overall pick in the 5th round of the 2010 NHL Draft, the Phoenix Coyotes selected the Quebec native to join their organization. The Coyotes decided to let Domingue sharpen his skills with two more years in the juniors before calling him up to play professional hockey with their American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League affiliates.

In his final two seasons in the QMJHL, Louis Domingue would make a name for himself among his goaltending competition. He was outstanding in 2010 leading his Quebec Remparts to a 37-12-3 with a .898 save percentage and a 2.65 goals against average. That following year in 2011 was even better for Domingue. He improved to a 23-8-4 record and a .914 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average. To compliment his stellar 2011 performance, Louis Domingue signed a three year entry level deal with the Coyotes to kick start his professional career.

A Taste of the Pros

Feb 1, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Christian Thomas (60) is checked by Arizona Coyotes defenseman Connor Murphy (5) in front of goalie Louis Domingue (35) during the second period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

2012 was the turning point in Louis Domingue’s life as he began his professional hockey career with the ECHL affiliate Gwinnett Gladiators. Throughout 2012 he would primarily play with the Gladiators only to suit up for two games in the AHL. In the thirty four games with the Gladiators, Domingue went 23-9-2 with a respectable .904 save percentage and 2.69 goals against average. Not bad for his first year of professional hockey.

The following year in 2013 Louis Domingue began to play predominantly with the Portland Pirates in the AHL. In the thirty six games with the Portland Pirates he would finish 9-18-2 against the upper level competition. Within that record Louis held a .890 save percentage and a 3.63 goals against average.

Emergence with the Arizona Coyotes

The 2014-2015 season has been a roller-coaster ride for Louis Domingue so far. Starting the season as a member of the Portland Pirates, Domingue went 8-4-1 with a .922 save percentage and a 2.40 goals against average. He would not stay in Portland for long though. With the constant movement of minor league players in Arizona’s rebuild Domingue would find himself right back in Gwinnett with the Gladiators to sharpen his skills. In only two games with the Glads he would post a 1-1-0 record with an impressive .958 save percentage and a 1.01 goals against average.

On January 31, 2015 Domingue would get a call that would change his life. A true rookie to NHL competition would finally get his chance against the league’s best. It was Domingue’s turn to sit back and provide relief for starter Mike Smith just like Lee and McKenna before him. The only thing is that Domingue would not only sit back and watch; he would play.

In a game against the Ottawa Senators on January 31st, Mike Smith would appear shaken up and give up five goals on twenty shots which would end his night and begin Domingue’s. In his first ever NHL game, Louis would stop nine of eleven shots to finish out the third period with a .818 save percentage.

That following day the Arizona Coyotes would take on the Montreal Canadiens on the road. It was noted that Louis Domingue would get the nod to start in net against an impressive Montreal team. The Quebec native would have a tough time early on but would shake off the jitters as the game progressed. Domingue would give up two goals in the first five minutes of the game and remain perfect til the very end. He would go on to stop 18 of 20 shots for a .900 save percentage in a 3-2 Coyotes win. The Coyotes would win in Montreal for the first time since October 28, 1996 with Louis Domingue.

It is unclear if we will see Domingue start between the pipes any time soon as Mike Smith begins to regain his confidence and form. But with his performance in Montreal on February 1st, Coyotes nation has hope for a solid goaltender in the years to come. Louis Domingue is making the most out of his opportunities which will contribute to him becoming a name that opposing skaters will not want to face in the future.