N.H.L. Draft: Rangers Select Alexis Lafreniere With First Overall Pick
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NY Times Hockey
Lafreniere, the consensus top prospect, had 112 points in 52 games last season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The Rangers selected left wing Alexis Lafreniere, the consensus top prospect, with the No. 1 pick on Tuesday night in an N.H.L. draft conducted virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lafreniere, who will turn 19 next week, scored 35 goals and had 112 points in 52 games last season for Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He joins a youthful Rangers roster, with forward Kaapo Kakko, 19, the second overall pick in 2019; forward Filip Chytil, 21; defenseman Adam Fox, 22; and goaltender Igor Shesterkin, 24, at its core.
The Rangers last won a playoff series in 2017 and committed to a rebuild the following season.
It was an unreal feeling,’’ Lafreniere, wearing a blue Rangers sweater and hat, said in a Zoom news conference shortly after he was selected.
Lafreniere said he had never been to New York and was looking forward to making his first visit soon.
In addition to the Rangers, the Senators, Ducks and Devils had multiple first-round selections.
The Rangers last won a playoff series in 2017 and committed to a rebuild the following season.
It was an unreal feeling,’’ Lafreniere, wearing a blue Rangers sweater and hat, said in a Zoom news conference shortly after he was selected.
Lafreniere said he had never been to New York and was looking forward to making his first visit soon.
In addition to the Rangers, the Senators, Ducks and Devils had multiple first-round selections.