Alexis Lafreniere agreed to a three-one year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers on Monday. Financial terms were no longer disclosed.
The left hover, who turned 19 on Sunday, was as soon as the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
“It was as soon as a terribly easy process,” Rangers overall manager Jeff Gorton said. “We labored along with his agency and acquired issues done in actuality fleet here.”
Gorton said he hopes Lafreniere will map to New York in early November to arrange for practising camp. He’ll no longer return to his junior physique of workers, Rimouski of the Quebec Predominant Junior Hockey League.
The 2020-21 NHL popular season is focused to launch Jan. 1, 2021.
“Clearly, we’re in actuality extreme about getting him signed and changing into a Ranger and every thing that goes along with it,” Gorton said. “Having a understanding forward to the first time we’ll the truth is understanding him on the ice.”
Lafreniere was as soon as named MVP of the QMJHL and the Canadian Hockey League Participant of the Yr for the second consecutive season after he scored 112 facets (35 targets, 77 assists) in 52 games closing season. He’s the first aid-to-aid winner of each and every award since Sidney Crosby (2003-05) and was as soon as also named the MVP and easiest forward on the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he helped Canada to a main-scrape enact.
“It was as soon as an unreal feeling,” Lafreniere said Oct. 6 during the 2020 draft. “Clearly, the New York Rangers are a huge organization and for me, I am in actuality honored to affix them. After I heard my name, we have been ready for a truly lengthy time, so it was as soon as one thing in actuality special for me and for my family.”
Lafreniere can also play in the 2021 WJC if the NHL season does now not launch Jan. 1. The match shall be held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 at Rogers Spot in Edmonton with out followers in attendance, a stable-zone bubble identical to what the NHL worn for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“We’re talking about these eventualities and what’s going to happen,” Gorton said. “Upright now, our focal level is get hang of him here as soon as we’ll and indulge in him launch practising and be here and launch focusing on the NHL season. We are going to take it as it comes so far because the World Juniors or any other trouble that can even merely attain up.”
Lafreniere was as soon as the second player chosen No. 1 by the Rangers (Andre Veilleux in 1965) and first for the explanation that universal draft was as soon as adopted in 1969, when all junior gamers of qualifying age were eligible for possibility.
NHL.com senior author Dan Rosen contributed to this document
