LaMarre, a Paralympic gold medalist in 2022, won all five games and recorded a championship-game shutout against Canada during the 2022 IPH Cup. Besides that tournament, though, the Haverhill, Massachusetts, native has primarily served as the backup goaltender to Jen Lee.
LaMarre stepped up in the starting role in Ostrava, winning all four games he played and allowing four goals throughout the entire tournament.
“It felt good to be the starter, especially from a leadership perspective,” LaMarre said. “With the fact that I’ve been around awhile, it’s nice to be taking on extra pressure for the extra responsibility and role.”
LaMarre is part of the 17-player U.S. roster for the 2024-25 season. LaMarre and Lee — a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and four-time world champion — combined for eight shutouts during the 2023-24 season.
New to this season, the U.S. now has a practice team that travels and trains with the national team at international events and training camps. The group, which includes 11 players, gives elite players that aren’t currently on the national team the chance to train with some of the best sled players in the world. The practice squad is also used as an evaluation tool for future national team consideration.
Taggart VanderMolen teamed with LaMarre to form the tandem in goal, while forwards Sam Becker, Isaac Escobedo, Caleb Crossett and defenseman Kayden Beasley also joined the group in Czechia.
VanderMolen, of Fruitport, Michigan, recorded a shutout in his first career start, as the U.S. scored a 2-0 victory against Italy during its third and final preliminary-round game of the IPH Cup.
“It was [VanderMolen’s] first tournament with the team, so I just tried to be there for him and teach him what Jen has always done for me the last few years,” LaMarre said.
After falling to Canada in the gold-medal game at worlds this past May, the Americans got a chance at some redemption in Ostrava. They defeated their biggest rivals 2-1 in overtime during the preliminary round before beating Canada again in the championship game.
