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New York Rangers Select Alexis Lafrenière 1st Overall in NHL 2020 Draft

It’s official! The New York Rangers have selected QMJHL star Alex Lafrenière 1st overall.

It was the worst-kept secret at this year’s NHL Entry Draft. The New York Rangers have selected Alexis Lafreniere as the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

Since the annual calendar turned over to 2020, Alexis Lafrenière has been considered the best available player in the 2020 NHL draft class. Just five days short of his 19th birthday, the New York Rangers made it official by selecting Lafrenière with the first overall selection. The pick itself was awarded to the Rangers on August 10th after the Blue Shirts won the lucky lottery during a new format to decide the first overall selection (the Rangers were awarded the number one draft slot after losing out to Carolina during the opening play in round of NHL bubble action).

3rd Océanic Player to be Taken 1st Overall

Lafrenière is now the 3rd Océanic player to be selected as the first overall NHL selection – the other two: Vincent Lecavalier and Sidney Crosby.  Lafrenière checks many, if not all, boxes of an excellent NHL prospect – great skater, good size for today’s game, skill, offensive instincts, defensive responsibility, maturity, and a natural born leader.

In 2019/20, the Saint-Eustache native lived up to the hype. During the QMJHL season Lafrenière finished with 35 goals and 77 assists (112) in just 52 games. This was Lafrenière’s second consecutive season reaching the 100-point mark in the QMJHL. In his sophomore season with the Océanic, Lafrenière amassed 37 goals, and 68 assists (105) in 61 games during the 18/19 season.

The kicker however, may have been Lafrenière’s play at the 2020 World Junior tournament in Czech Republic. Firstly, Team Canada would claim gold at the tournament after beating the Russians in the final. Competing in his second World Junior tournament, Lafrenière would add 10 points in five games and collected the tournament MVP trophy with his performance.

New York Rangers Future Looks Solid

Yes, the Rangers were extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to select Lafrenière. Especially considering the group of young, lethally offensive weapons they already have in the Big Apple. On paper, the Rangers are looking like an offensive juggernaut heading into the next several seasons.

Congratulations to Alexis Lafrenière, his family, the Rimouski Océanic organization and the New York Rangers. The LA Kings are now on the clock – will it be Quinton Byfield or Tim Stützle?

NEXT: 2020 NHL Draft Details – A Full Draft Prep Recap

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