Breaking: New York Rangers select Alexis Lafreniere with first overall pick
It’s been 55 years in the making. For the first time since the 1965 amateur draft, the New York Rangers have selected first overall. On April 27th, 1965 the Blueshirts chose winger André Veilleux at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal with the first pick.
Tonight, the Rangers went back to Quebec to select from the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL, Alexis Lafrenière. The 18 year-old winger is the consensus top prospect in the draft, and although there were offers New York wanted to take him.
Alexis Lafreniere goes first overall to the Rangers
The Rangers have an absolute gamer that plays with an edge and lives to lead. Lafreniere was captain of the Oceanic and Team Canada which makes one think he could be the future “C” for the Blueshirts.
Expectations for Lafreniere is that he’s NHL ready and could flirt with 60 points if given adequate ice time. At this time, he would appear penciled onto the third line for the Rangers. While experts go out of their way to say he’s not “Connor McDavid”, they all agree he is the type of player that elevates the game of the other four guys on the ice.
Scouting has come a long way since 1965. Unlike André Veilleux, who never played a game in the NHL, Lafreniere is destined for greatness.
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Alexis Lafreniere QMJHL Stats
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