18-year-old Quinton Byfield has become the highest drafted Black player in NHL history by being selected second overall by the Los Angeles Kings.
The Newmarket, Ontario-native, who stands at 6’4″, spent last season with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL where he put up 82 points in 45 games and potted two assists in two games during the OHL All-Stars Jr Super Series.
As the EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide points out, “where most skaters seek out space; Byfield carries the puck like a power running back in the NFL.”
Most mock drafts released by hockey analysts had Byfield being drafted in the Top 5 of this year’s draft, so him coming in at No. 2 yesterday was by no means a huge surprise. It also seemed clear that Rimouski Océanic winger Alexis Lafrenière was a lock for No. 1 before the draft started. Him going anywhere other than first overall would have been big news.
By being selected second overall, Byfield surpasses San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and Seth Jones, each chosen at No. 4 in their respective draft years.
According to USA Today, “Byfield was immediately congratulated by San Jose’s Evander Kane and hopes to one day help hockey’s diversity initiatives.”
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