Just two picks into the 2020 NHL Draft, history has already been made—and in a big way, at that.
With the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings selected center Quinton Byfield, who has now become the highest-drafted black player in the history of the annual event.
The only player selected ahead of Byfield on Tuesday evening was a fellow Canadian in winger Alexis Lafrenière, who was selected by the New York Rangers at No. 1 overall.
Forget NY state of mind, it's LA lifestyle for Quinton Byfield 😎#GoKingsGo | #NHLDraft | @GEICO
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 6, 2020
With Lafrenière slated to serve as a winger for the Rangers, the 18-year-old Byfield also became the highest-drafted center for the 2020 NHL Draft class. Of both Canadian and Jamaican descent, the up-and-coming forward most recently suited up for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) while notably winning the league's Rookie of the Year Award back in 2018-19. In 2018–19, Byfield recorded 29 goals and a total of 61 points over the course of 64 games for the Sudbury Wolves.
Quinton Byfield (@byfield55) goes to the @LAKings at second overall! #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/70oUev8Ojc
— NHL (@NHL) October 6, 2020
It is also worth noting that the Kings newcomer was previously tabbed as the Canadian Hockey League's Rookie of the Year in 2018-19 as well, an honor that has already been bestowed upon the likes of New York Devils forward and former No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier, Chicago Blackhawks superstar winger Patrick Kane, Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares and the aforementioned Lafrenière—among many other notable names.
Not too far removed from some immense success, the Kings will now be looking for Byfield to quickly help Los Angeles return to the upper-echelon of the league.
Follow Us
Subscribe