Oceanic’s Alexis Lafreniere wins Sportsnet Player of the Year Award
Rimouski Oceanic left-wing Alexis Lafreniere is the Sportsnet Player of the Year, just one season after he was recognized as the CHL’s Rookie of the Year.
The 17-year-old product of St-Eustache, Que., who is a projected early selection in the 2020 NHL Draft, wrapped up the 2018-19 campaign with 37 goals and 68 assists for 105 points in only 61 appearances as he led his team in scoring and finished just six points shy of top spot in the QMJHL scoring race.
In mid-February, Lafreniere was named the CHL Player of the Week after he notched five goals and three assists in just two outings. The 17-year-old then added another 23 points in 13 playoff appearances. In all, Lafreniere has tallied 185 points in 121 career regular-season contests.
Lafreniere is the second consecutive skater from the QMJHL to take home the award as he follows in the footsteps of Alex Barre-Boulet (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) who won the award in 2018. This marks the fourth time a member of the Oceanic has won following Brad Richards in 2000 as well as Sidney Crosby who won back-to-back in 2004 and 2005. Finalists this year included Joachim Blichfeld of the Portland Winterhawks and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Sudbury Wolves.