Former Northern Alberta Xtreme (NAX) defenseman Gannon Laroque has signed a National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Contract with the San Jose Sharks.
Laroque spent two seasons in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL) with NAX. He joined the program in 2018/19 with the NAX U16 Prep team, finishing second among all defensemen, with 34 points in 34 games as NAX captured a CSSHL League Championship.
He would return to NAX in 2019/20 with their U18 Prep team, once again finishing second among defensemen in scoring with 34 points in 34 games.
An undrafted Western Hockey League (WHL) free agent, Laroque would join the Victoria Royals in 2020/21, finishing with 7 points in 21 WHL games during the COVID-19 shortened season. The Sharks would then draft the Edmonton, AB product in the fourth round, 103rd overall at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.
Laroque would finish the 2021/22 WHL season 10th among all defenseman, and third among all Royals skaters, with 52 points in 63 games, earning B.C. Division Defenceman of the Year honours. Laroque would then join the San Jose Barracuda for three American Hockey League (AHL) games, adding one assist, to wrap up his 2021/22 season.
The Royals announced on June 3, 2022 that Laroque would captain their team for the upcoming 2022/23 season.