Byfield loses last shot at coveted No. 1 ranking
Cancellation of playoffs, Memorial Cup erases final chance to impress NHL scouts
Quinton Byfield sounds like he’s fighting a cold.
Speaking on the phone from his home in Newmarket, Ont., his rather deep voice sounds deeper, more nasal than usual. It’s partly from a lack of sleep and partly because of the phlegm that’s built up in his nasal passage. But before you jump to any conclusions, Byfield doesn’t have what you might think he has.
“Yeah, it’s just a stuffy nose,” he said, quickly dispelling any notion that he might have contracted the spreading coronavirus that has temporarily halted life as we know it.
Not that COVID-19 hasn’t indirectly affected the 17-year-old.
On Monday, the Canadian Hockey League officially cancelled its playoffs and the yearend Memorial Cup championship. For Byfield, a draft-eligible centre who is widely considered to be the second-best prospect in the world, it means his season — and likely his junior career — is over.
The news came as a shock to Byfield, who had been holding out hope that the league would resume play in a month or two from now. He had even left most of his clothes back at his billet’s house in Sudbury, thinking he would be back there this year.
“That was my initial thought. I was still hoping there would be (Ontario Hockey League) playoffs, even if it was best of three or something,” he said. “I think we all thought we all had a pretty strong team. If we caught fire, we could have gone far.”
The cancellation means the Sudbury Wolves, who had already clinched top spot in the Central Division, won’t get a chance to end what is currently the longest Memorial Cup drought in the OHL. But for Byfield, the loss is even greater.
He won’t get another chance to show NHL teams that he can lead the Wolves to a league title. He won’t get to show scouts that he can raise his play and ramp up his physicality at a time when it matters the most. Ultimately, he won’t be able to change people’s minds that he — and not Alexis Lafreniere — should be the No. 1 overall pick.
“It’s definitely disappointing,” said Byfield. “The playoffs are a proving time. It’s a different game than the regular season. I like playing in the playoffs and I like winning. I would have stuck it all on the line there. I think it definitely would have helped my personal position.”
Lucky for Byfield, his resume isn’t lacking.
A year ago, the No. 1 pick in the OHL priority draft was named the league’s top rookie after scoring 29 goals and 61 points in 64 games. This season, he built on those numbers with 32 goals and 82 points in 45 games. Only OHL leading scorer Marco Rossi, Connor Mcmichael and Nick Robertson, who led the league in goals, averaged more points per game than Byfield, who missed time with a wrist injury and also to play in the world juniors.
It was at the world juniors where Byfield helped Canada to a gold medal. But it was also at the world juniors where the distinction between he and Lafreniere became more apparent.
While Byfield looked very much his age in the under-20 tournament and was relegated to Canada’s 13th forward, Lafreniere was named MVP after scoring four goals and 10 points in five games.
“I didn’t do as best with the opportunity as I could have,” said Byfield, who had one assist in seven games. “I didn’t grasp it.”
What had been a two-man race for the No. 1 spot in the draft was now down to just one player.
“He was the biggest winner. He showed people why a lot have him No. 1 in the draft,” said North American Scouting’s Mark Seidel, who had Byfield ranked ahead of Lafreniere before the tournament. “Honestly, it’s a case where it’s hard to say Byfield is better.”
Even Byfield was impressed with his so-called rival.
“I think he’s an amazing player,” Byfield said of Lafreniere, who had 35 goals and 112 points in 52 games with the QMJHL’S Rimouski Oceanic this season. “His numbers speak for themselves. He does it all. I was surprised by how physical he was. He threw some big hits out there. He’s the whole package. Off the ice, he’s a great guy, as well.”
If there’s an area where Byfield might hold the edge over Lafreniere, it’s with his NHL potential. Byfield is 10 months younger than Lafreniere. That means he has more room to grow and develop. He’s also already much bigger than Lafreniere and arguably plays a more important position, being a centre versus a winger.
“It’s really what the team is after at this point,” said Byfield, who is 6-4 and 215 pounds. “If (Lafreniere) went ahead of me I wouldn’t be shocked or mad. But If I got picked No. 1 overall, it would be something special.”
To that end, Byfield’s focus is on getting his body Nhl-ready for when the 2020-21 season might begin. But first, he needs to find some workout equipment.
“Actually, I’ve been scavenging around for it,” he said. “My friend gave me some weights and my aunt gave me a punching bag and a treadmill. I have a bike, too, but I’ve been mostly just taking my beagle out for walks.
“I think I can definitely step into the NHL right now and help a team. I just have to have a strong off-season. Go and use the extra time to my advantage.”