Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher traded picks 202 and 209 to the Nashville Predators to move up to select Elliot Desnoyers with the 135th pick of the 2020 NHL Draft. Desnoyers is a Left Winger, but he’s a versatile player as he can also play Center. Flyers fans may not have known much about him but he’s turning into a hidden gem.
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Once seen as a project pick for the Flyers after being traded from the Moncton Wildcats. Desnoyers brings a combination of high-end skating and hockey sense that makes him a dangerous player without the puck. He plays a good two-way game, and is rarely out of position. Desnoyers blocks shots, gets into the passing lanes, provides high energy, and simply plays the game the right way.
Desnoyers is providing a leadership role with a rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads, and he is increasing his production while playing with a potential first round pick in Zachary L’Heureux. Both L’Heureux and Desnoyers are being utilized in every situation to include the top Power Play Unit.
“I think my role changed a lot. Last year, I had such a great team. We were going for the Cup and I learned a lot from it. This year with Halifax, it’s a new opportunity for me. Just being a part of the leader group. For sure, it’s going to be different in a good way for me. I think I’m a big two-way player. I think both offense and defense is a big part of my game. I’m a guy that can compete everywhere and give it all on the ice every day.”- Elliot Desnoyers said after being drafted by the Flyers
The young 18-year-old in Desnoyers had the potential for big point totals this year. As a fifth-round pick, Desnoyers is keeping his game simple, and this approach is leading to a breakout season thus far with six goals and six assists in 12 games played. He’s playmaker with a high-end shot. Flyers’ Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr is high on the young man:
“He’s a guy that our guys in the Quebec league were high on. He played on a very good Moncton team last year. Didn’t have a huge role, but got better and better throughout the year. This year, he’s moved to Halifax and has a big role on the team. He’s had a real good start. He’s a real hardworking, energy two-way center and wing. He’s playing center right now. He’s a real smart player, real detailed player. A player all coaches like. Our guys just think he’s going to get better and better there so we stepped up on him.”– Flyers Assistant GM Brent Flahr
This 5’11, 172 pound sturdy Forward in Desnoyers is highly skilled, and he is really starting to find his game Offensively. Once seen as a defensive first type player, Desnoyers is becoming an effective two-way player in the “Q” which stands for the QMJHL. Watch out for him Flyers fans, Desnoyers has all the billings to be a hidden gem of the 2020 Draft.
