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C Tommy Lafreniere - Kamloops Blazers, WHL (2025 Draft)

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Juniorhockeyguru

Registered User
Nov 18, 2012
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His rookie year, has 6 goals in 11 games this season. Was taken in the 8th round in the WHL prospects draft, and ended up winning the co-MVP in the CSSHL last year.

I think he's going to keep rising this season on a much better team than last season.
 
SnowblindNYR said:
Not sure if this is a joke or misunderstanding, lol.
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Could be Alexis' cousin judging by the bone structure in his face and the long nose.

1729409157910.png
 
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Aside from Brunicke, he often looks like the best player on the ice for the Blazers. Very complete game, looked comfortable in his handful of games at the end of last year. Up on PP1 this year, looking like he may make a push for top line minutes as the season goes on.
 
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Centreing the 3rd line now. A bit snakebitten in terms of production, but he plays a solid game. As a right handed centre he has some more value than say, a winger.
 
Had another good game tonight. Still not putting up numbers but playing a noticeably responsible 2-way game. Was rewarded with a bump to the top line to close out the game against the Chiefs.

Behm got lit up early and looked off most of the night, which may have precipitated the change, but will be interesting to see if they continue to give Lafreniere a shot on the top line.
 
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Another solid game from Lafreniere. No points to show for it but made 2-3 great passes that should have been assists.

Once again got bumped up with Finnie and Keller for the last couple shifts to see out a tight lead.

I’d argue his line is the 2nd line. The Szabo/Shtrom/Matthew line seems to get used as more of an energy/shutdown line with Lafreniere’s line getting more O-zone looks and following the top line to maintain offensive pressure.

Edit to add: Love this kid’s game. Depending how far along he comes in his rookie year a team could end up with a sneaky good mid-to-late round pick here. Not big by any means but plays a very pro-friendly game and looks to have the wheels/smarts to compensate for his size. Good motor and knows where to be. Obviously has the coaches’ trust already as well.
 
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Just had his 11 game point streak ended where he had 16 points. How is this guy not talked about more? Better IQ, skating ability, effort level than Behm, and he's on pace for 28 goal and assists for 56 points as a 17 year old.
 
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2 more goals last night. Giving him 15 on the season and 32 points. 14 points in his last 15 games. On pace for 27 goals and 57 points.
 
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Lafreniere is going to be a really good two-way WHL player over the next two years and I wouldn't be shocked if he was the sort of guy who snuck onto the WJC team in 2027, but the questions for NHL teams will be about his upside.

Hard worker and a guy you really want to see succeed but it's a stretch to think he has top-6 upside, especially at C. Not a lot of skills that really pop - skating is maybe his best trait outside of his motor but I wouldn't call it elite. Upside is probably to be a bottom-6 utility guy.

He's listed as a C here but has played mostly on wing this year (he's 6th on his team on faceoffs and has taken 10+ in 14 of 39 games) and also been considerably more productive when he's on Finnie or Keller's wing, not surprisingly.
 
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MS said:
Lafreniere is going to be a really good two-way WHL player over the next two years and I wouldn't be shocked if he was the sort of guy who snuck onto the WJC team in 2027, but the questions for NHL teams will be about his upside.

Hard worker and a guy you really want to see succeed but it's a stretch to think he has top-6 upside, especially at C. Not a lot of skills that really pop - skating is maybe his best trait outside of his motor but I wouldn't call it elite. Upside is probably to be a bottom-6 utility guy.

He's listed as a C here but has played mostly on wing this year (he's 6th on his team on faceoffs and has taken 10+ in 14 of 39 games) and also been considerably more productive when he's on Finnie or Keller's wing, not surprisingly.
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Unlikely to make it as a C unless he continues to grow. Would say he has pro ready skating which does look to be continuing to improve, but his best two attributes are his vision/passing and 2-way play. Could probably attribute both to overall hockey IQ, very aware player and it shows.

When he’s on a less talented line it manifests more in high-level defensive play, when he gets out with Finnie/Keller/Behm you see it more in his play-making (although the high level effort/defence rarely takes a break).
 
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Just had a look as it feels like he’s been relatively hot for a while. In the 24 games since Nov 15 he’s at 11g/18a for 29 points.

For context, over that same stretch, the other Blazers top guns are 14g/23a (Finnie), 14g/10a (Keller), and 11g/11a (Behm). Finnie is the clear offensive driver on the team but Lafreniere has stepped up in a big way after a settling in period at the start of the season.

He’ll never be big, but he gravitates to the dirty areas and a lot of his goals come from smart play in tight around the crease.

Unlike his ‘25 draft eligible teammate it’s not hard to see how his game might translate to the next level. If he can continue his upward trajectory and add some mass/strength without losing a step it will be fun to see just how far he can take himself.
 
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