Best professional prospect award finalists revealed
The finalists for the 2020 Michael-Bossy Trophy were announced today, as the QMJHL confirmed its top professional prospects ahead of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Alexis Lafrenière (Rimouski Océanic), Dawson Mercer (Chicoutimi Saguenéens) and Hendrix Lapierre (Chicoutimi Saguenéens) are the nominees for this year’s award.
The award is named after former QMJHLer and Hockey Hall of Famer, Michael Bossy, who was ranked sixth in the league’s 50 greatest players countdown as part of the QMJHL’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. Many other names listed in the QMJHL Top 50 Players of all-time list have received this award, including Mario Lemieux, Pat LaFontaine, Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier.
Alexis Lafrenière already took home the Jean-Béliveau trophy last Saturday as the top point-getter of the regular season. The Océanic captain posted impressive numbers as he registered 112 points in only 52 games during the 2019-2020 campaign. He led Team Canada to gold at the World Junior Hockey Championship in December and then represented the QMJHL at the 2020 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in January.
Dawson Mercer is probably the player who has shown the biggest improvement throughout the season. A little bit off the radar at the beginning of the year, the Bay Roberts, NL native turned heads all season long. His performances earned him invitations at the CIBC Canada Russia Series, the World Junior Hockey Championship and the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He piled up 42 points in 26 games with Drummondville before getting traded to Chicoutimi, where he accumulated another 18 points in 16 outings.
Hendrix Lapierre experienced a frustrating season after an extended stay on the injury list. The Gatineau native only played in 19 games with Chicoutimi, scoring two goals and adding 15 assists. However, the first overall selection of the 2018 QMJHL Draft had an exceptional rookie season in 2018-19 with a total of 45 points in 48 games played. Loaded with skill, he remains one of the most interesting prospects for the upcoming NHL Draft.
