Prospect Info: LAK Draft (83rd, 2020) RW Alex Laferriere, Des Moines, USHL

IceColdOx

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Jan 29, 2019
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Chatham, New Jersey native Alex Laferriere had a big season with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL, getting the attention of hockey prospect watchers. He scored 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 42 games before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Laferriere also played six games for Team USA at the 2019 World Junior A Hockey Championships in December, winning a silver medal.

In 2018-19, Laferriere played 12 games for Des Moines but did not record a point. He spent most of the season playing high school hockey on the prep school circuit, representing Kent School. He scored 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points in just 27 games. Laferriere was named to the US High School – Prep All Founders League Team. Laferriere is committed to attending Harvard University, playing for the Crimson in 2021-22. It is expected that he will spend one more season with Des Moines before joining Harvard. He should be one of the best players in the USHL next year. In 2017-2018, Laferriere led his North Jersey Avalanche team to the AYHL National Under-16 Championship. His father, Rob Laferriere, played for Princeton and Harvard in the 1990s.

Alex Laferriere Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #89
 

Telos

In Byfield We Must Trust
Aug 16, 2008
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Sounds smart, great character, and a hard-working player. Bit of a project could be middle 6. Good looking pick.
 

AzKing

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Feb 4, 2019
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Kind of ironic that I was just reading a writeup on him and thought he was a good value. Here is McKeen's writeup and they had him at #63:

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. Of course, he could not keep that blistering
pace up, but nor did he ever look back. The consistency of his central role in the attack was
remarkable, and he had only a single game all year without registering a shot on net.
What really marked Laferriere’s improvement from the start of the season to its premature
completion was the complete makeover he made in his skating. Gone was the crow-hop kick
off, which had him behind before he took his first stride. His wide-kneed form added to the
inefficiency. By mid-season he was far smoother, able to get to his top gear much quicker and
became a primary puck carrier instead of just a trigger man. Then again, the trigger was still the
main draw. Despite carrying a slight frame, he has a big shot and can rip both wrist shots and
slap shots past unprepared netminders.

Another positive for the Harvard commit is his high IQ, represented on the ice through his
heady, two-way play. He was relied in heavily in late-and-close situations and was on Des
Moines’ first PK unit. The team that drafts Laferriere will need to be patient as he will need
substantial physical growth before turning pro, but there are a number of high-level tools on
offer here.
 

Lt Dan

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Sep 13, 2018
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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.

Alex Laferriere at eliteprospects.com
 
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Raccoon Jesus

We were right there
Oct 30, 2008
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I don't usually like the USHL but after reading that I feel a little better about it. Improvement is a good sign, and though I was big on swinging for the fences, this seems like a solid "just a guy" that we have a lot of success with. Good value.
 

King'sPawn

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PumperNichol

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Sep 2, 2007
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Chatham, New Jersey native Alex Laferriere had a big season with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL, getting the attention of hockey prospect watchers. He scored 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points in 42 games before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Laferriere also played six games for Team USA at the 2019 World Junior A Hockey Championships in December, winning a silver medal.

In 2018-19, Laferriere played 12 games for Des Moines but did not record a point. He spent most of the season playing high school hockey on the prep school circuit, representing Kent School. He scored 19 goals and 34 assists for 53 points in just 27 games. Laferriere was named to the US High School – Prep All Founders League Team. Laferriere is committed to attending Harvard University, playing for the Crimson in 2021-22. It is expected that he will spend one more season with Des Moines before joining Harvard. He should be one of the best players in the USHL next year. In 2017-2018, Laferriere led his North Jersey Avalanche team to the AYHL National Under-16 Championship. His father, Rob Laferriere, played for Princeton and Harvard in the 1990s.

Alex Laferriere Scouting Report: 2020 NHL Draft #89

Dude had 4 goals tonight for Harvard.
 

johnjm22

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Aug 2, 2005
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Coronato was the 13th OA pick in the draft. Fantilli will likely be a top 3 pick in this upcoming draft.

So that gives some perspective on how well Laf is doing. Although he is older than both of them, which is a huge factor.
 
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AbsentMojo

F-ing get up and hunt! Cmon Todd!
Apr 18, 2018
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Coronato was the 13th OA pick in the draft. Fantilli will likely be a top 3 pick in this upcoming draft.

So that gives some perspective on how well Laf is doing. Although he is older than both of them, which is a huge factor.
Yes I heard Fantilli supposed to go 2nd next draft.. Laf is a year older than QB to give some perspective on his age. Edit: i guess the good news is there more wings in the pipe - cheap talent is always key in the cap era.
 

Lt Dan

F*** your ice cream!
Sep 13, 2018
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Fishhead

Registered User
Jul 15, 2003
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He's expected to play games down the stretch?

I doubt it. They might give him a game just to get him to sign, but it's not like he's going to displace someone in the lineup. There are already deserving guys sitting, and he's not on the same level as them.
 
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