????????????????????????????????????
Photo Credit: Halifax Mooseheads
A young man by the name of Elliot “The Destroyer” Desnoyers hails from St-Hyacinthe, QC, CAN, which is located outside of Montreal. Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher traded picks 202 and 209 to the Nashville Predators to move up to select a sharpshooter in 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 starting to turn some heads for the Halifax Mooseheads, “That’s a funny question,” he said when I asked him if he liked being called “The Destroyer”:
“The trainers have been calling me that in the locker room. It’s funny, I really don’t mind it as a nickname.” – Elliot Desnoyers
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, and he looks forward to playing with a 2021, 27th overall pick by the Nashville Predators in Zachary L’ Heureux, “I think he has matured, and been improving,” L’ Heureux said. “We talked throughout the summer. I’m really looking forward to play with him next season.”
Desnoyers provided a leadership role with a rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads club in his first season, and he increased his production while playing with a potential first round pick in Zachary L’Heureux. Both L’Heureux and Desnoyers were utilized in every situation to include the top Power Play Unit.
“In the Q, speed (In terms of getting to the next level with things to improve). The game is all about it, and I’m trying to improve every Summer.”
The young 19-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 has lead to a breakout season with 21 goals and 28 assists in 37 games played. He’s playmaker with a high-end shot. Flyers’ Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr is high on the young man:
“Elliot Desnoyers had a productive year in Halifax and played a strong, two-way game with lots of passion. As he matures physically and gets stronger, his game should continue to grow.”– Brent Flahr said earlier in the year
Ian Laperrière shares the same sentiment about Desnoyers as Flahr does, “The funny thing I played with his dad all my life growing up,” Laperrière said yesterday. “It’s funny to see him. That’s how old I am. He had surgeries and everything, but I’ll give him that he spends his whole summer, rehabbing, doing the work on the ice and doing some skill development. He’s that new generation. They want that. They’re hungry about that, to do a little stuff that I didn’t do. Obviously, he’s French-Canadian like I am. I talked to him in French. It’s kind of nice. Talk about that and mom and everything. To answer your question, I was impressed just the fact that he spent the summer, doing his rehab. He didn’t have to, but he did. When he had a chance to go on the ice, he still does like after with the development guys. He goes out there and work on his skills. Obviously, he’s going to go back to junior. In the future, he’s not a big guy but because he does everything right, that’s a kid I wouldn’t be surprised that will be sitting here in five years. He’ll make the big team or he’ll be a dominant player in the American League.”
Laperrière continued, “This summer I did send a picture of me and Elliot together. We sent it to his dad. His dad was a defenseman that was a tough guy. It’s just funny how life is though. I’m here and his son gets drafted for Flyers. I work for the Flyers and I’m probably going to coach him next year. It’s kind of funny, but it’s all good.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Desnoyers is a talented, skilled forward that has great vision of the ice, and can skate with the best of them. He has a lethal wrist shot, great acceleration, and is a determined young man. Could Desnoyers be flushing out some other prospects in the Flyers system? Maybe so, but in the end he’s happy to get back on the ice:
“I’m close to 100%. I got my things fixed, hip surgery. I think for me I just want to prove to everyone something I can add to my game. The next level is all about details. I don’t think my season will be delayed (Due to injury), I’m really looking forward to start the season.” – Elliot Desnoyers
