Future Watch: Canadian Hockey Prospect Alexis LafrenièreFuture Watch: Canadian Hockey Prospect Alexis LafrenièreAlexis Lafrenière is a 17-year-old hockey player who just signed a multi-year spokesman deal with Upper Deck. He’s been making headlines in Canada for more than a few years now and in short order, American hockey fans will be able to collect him even before his name is called in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

In 2017-18, he notched 42 goals and 83 points in just 60 games for the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL. He notched a point-per-game in the playoffs as well. Once upon a time, Sidney Crosby set all the scoring records for that franchise. This French-Canadian left winger is a future star. He’s destined to play in the NHL.

In 2018-19, he had 105 points in his first 61 games with 37 goals. He’s already wearing an “A” showing that he has leadership abilities on and off the ice. Collectors don’t care about that. They want to know what he can do on the ice.

The former CHL Rookie of the Year and Hlinka Gretzky Cup Champion has exceptional eye-hand coordination. He’s already very fast and he has a quick release on his shot. He plays a solid 200-foot game already and he’ll only get better over time. It’s hard to predict what that will translate to in a few seasons when he gets drafted first or second overall.

Here’s a look at what he did in the U18s:

This past winter, this phenom represented Team Canada in the U20 2019 World Junior Championship. In five games he did score a goal against some of the best players in the world, most of them older than him. This guy competes hard, every game and every shift.

Collectors should have no reservations getting in on him early. He has some cards in the 2018-19 Upper Deck Canada Juniors release. He’s also in 2017-18 Upper Deck CHL Hockey and 2018 Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors, as well as in upcoming releases of 2018-19 Upper Deck CHL Hockey (April 2019) and 2019 Upper Deck Team Canada Juniors (August 2019).

Expect to see some cool memorabilia soon. He will pan out. He will play in the NHL, barring injury, and he will be a player who will be noticed for his exceptional play.

Check out Alexis Lafrenière’s recent visit to Upper Deck HQ!

Future Watch: Canadian Hockey Prospect Alexis Lafrenière – More Resources

Future Watch: Canadian Hockey Prospect Alexis Lafrenière – Image Gallery

Russ Cohen is the author of several top-selling sports related books.

Baseball’s Best Rookies
Numbers Don’t Lie: Mets: The Biggest Numbers in Mets History
100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters
100 Things Rangers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die
“Strike Three!” – A Player’s Journey through the Infamous Baseball Strike of 1994
The Winter Classic: The NHL’s Savior
The Philadelphia Flyers: Images of Sports
Pioneers of Baseball

 

Russ Cohen

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