Ankle injury shouldn’t slow Lafreniere
OAKVILLE, ONT. Chill out, Canada.
Alexis Lafreniere’s nagging ankle woes, which kept him off the ice this week in Oakville, shouldn’t slow him down when the world junior hockey tournament opens on Boxing Day in the Czech Republic.
“It got better over the last couple of days,” the returning Canadian forward and NHL top prospect said on the final day of selection camp Thursday.
“I hope it’s going to keep being good. We talked to (the team doctor) and the staff. They don’t want me to push too much on it and I’m excited to be back on the ice soon. I want to be (out there), but still a little bit of rest is good, I think.”
There was legitimate concern in exposing the 18-year-old Rimouski Oceanic star to the grind of the two-game exhibition series against the older U Sports all-star team. Former London Knights star Alex Formenton, a speedy Senators prospect, suffered a freak knee injury in the dying seconds of one of these games.
The team missed his leadership. They don’t want to take any chances on heading overseas with a less-than-perfect Lafreniere.
“When I’m playing, I don’t feel it that much,” the reigning Canadian Hockey League player of the year said. “Maybe after (the game) a little bit. I can skate pretty good, so I’m good with it.”
Lafreniere’s production hasn’t dipped. He leads the Quebec league with 23 goals and 70 points in 32 games and is well on track to become Rimouski’s first repeat 100-point scorer since Sidney Crosby (2003-05).
But this setback did delay the intrigue of seeing him on the ice with Sudbury Wolves standout Quinton Byfield, who is also trying to push for that No. 1 spot on the draft floor in Montreal next June.
“He’s good,” Lafreniere said of the OHLER. “He played good last game. He’s a big guy and he can move, too. He’s exciting to watch. We didn’t talk about (the draft or rankings) too much. It’s fun to have him here and (to) eventually skate with him.”
Lafreniere was in Byfield’s position last year, trying to make a difference against older players in the world’s most highly scrutinized junior hockey tournament.
“Big experience last year,” he said. “I can take that to help me and try to have a bigger role this year. We’re pretty young here. It’s just enjoy it and work as hard as (you) can. It’s a short tournament and it’s going by fast.”