The Kings look to add a bit more grit into their prospect pool with the addition of third round pick Alex Laferriere. Alex will be playing this season at Harvard in the NCAA.
Fun fact, he was accepted to West Point, but will be joining the Crimson instead.
For now, this is what you need to know…
Early Notes
Quick notes on LA Kings pick at No. 83, Alex Laferriere (RW, USHL) – Was a top rookie in the USHL. Lead prep school in scoring a year ago. Highly skilled winger who was very small just 20 months ago, now he’s about 6-foot. Great hands and instincts offensively. Top six potential.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
Checked in with Coach Wrobo re: new Kings draft pick Alex Laferriere — Coached against him once. Rangy, right shot with slick hands. It was apparent when he was on the ice, had a presence and you knew there was a threat out there.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
LA Kings pick Alex Laferriere says he was on campus at Harvard for the beginning of the school year. He's home now and with college hockey on pause until Jan 1, says he'll be rejoining @bucshockey next week.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
.@HarvardMHockey freshman Alex Laferriere said his dad went to Princeton and his little brother just committed to Brown. Wow.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
Laferriere credits his shot, hockey IQ, and vision as being three of his strengths at the moment. Also noted he needs to fill out a little bit after having a growth spurt a few years ago.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
He grew up a Bruins fan, even though he's been raised in New Jersey.
Also name dropped John Farinacci, one of his former teammates who is already at Harvard. And one of the names we were closely watching heading into last year's NHL Draft (went to Arizona Coyotes in RD3).
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) October 7, 2020
Hey @LAKings fans, I talked to Alex Laferriere's coach with the @BucsHockey, @ManninoPeter, and this is what he had to say about his game. pic.twitter.com/WIXytgVO28
— J.D. Burke (@JDylanBurke) October 7, 2020
On Alex Laferriere at LAK 83, likely comes down to how much improvement can be done on his skating to make it to the big show. Plus side, NHL level skill and plays physical.
— Dennis Bernstein (@DennisTFP) October 7, 2020
With the 83rd pick in the #NHLDraft – the @LAKings take Alex Laferriere! @alaf_14
That's 12 straight years a Harvard player has been selected in the draft. Congrats Alex! #GoCrimson pic.twitter.com/YN9uWNyzIu
— HarvardMHockey (@HarvardMHockey) October 7, 2020
Vitals
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 179
Shoots: Right
Team: Des Moines Buccaneers
League: USHL
Position: Right Wing
Statistics
Regular Season
2019-20 Season: 42 GP, 19 G, 25 A, 45 Pts with Des Moines
Tournaments
****
Awards for 2019-20 Season
Scouting Reports:
Elite Prospects
Alex Laferriere, not to be confused with Alexis Lafrenière, is a dangerous player off the rush. He gains the line and creates room for himself to make plays. Alex is a true dual-threat scorer and likes to play a real power game, even at a modest 6-feet-even and 179 pounds. Think a scoring forward with some grit, not the second coming of Cam Neely.
McKeen’s
If we were to judge players based solely on how much they improved from the beginning of the season to its conclusion, Laferriere would be an easy first rounder, with lottery rumors. Moving full time into the USHL after a productive year spent largely playing for a Connecticut area prep school, as the season got underway, he looked slow of foot and a non-factor, other than a very heavy wrist shot. But hidden behind that veneer of a poor first impression, the Des Moines offense was flowing through Laferriere once the Buccaneers were in the offensive zone. And after those first two scoreless games, the New Jersey native went on a six-game point streak featuring two four-pointers and 15 points in total.
The Draft Analysis
Laferriere isn’t a physically-intimidating forward but he possesses several key traits found in most power wingers. He’s engaged at all times and will put forth the required effort to separate opponents from the puck. He also knows when and how to engage in puck battles while operating in the defensive zone, and Laferriere seems to make it a point to cover gaps and and lend his support when it is unnecessary.
Highlights: