A young man by the name of Elliot 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.
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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.
“I think this is what I need (Being traded to the Halifax Mooseheads). I’m pretty happy to be here. It was different I transitioned from Moncton to Halifax during Covid-19. I remember there were 8,000 fans (In the stands) when we played against them (Halifax Mooseheads) the last two years. It was to great play there, and there were some similarities to Moncton. The fans of Moncton have been great for me. We had some great teams when I was there, and an unbelievable experience the past two years.”
Desnoyers is providing a leadership role with a rebuilding Halifax Mooseheads club, 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. Desnoyers is enjoying his time on the top line as he finally has no one blocking him from showcasing his talent. He was blocked during his tenure with the Moncton Wildcats while playing on the fourth line, as the Wildcats had great teams the past few years with some great talented players. This move to Halifax was a better move for Desnoyers’s development.
“I think the next step is the AHL. I think it’s normal due to the levels of the game. One more year of Junior, then I continue to train very hard and hopefully make it.”
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 10 goals and seven assists in 11 games played after his second four goal performance of the season last night. Desnoyers is now second in the league in goals, and tied for third in points. He’s a playmaker with a high-end shot, plus he has great speed which is clearly lacking within the Flyers lineup.
“A big part of the player I am is a player that will always work hard, it’s just part of who I am,” Desnoyers said. “I will be there one day (With the Flyers), and work as hard as I can. They (Flyers) are getting a player who will make his teammates better. Both of my parents defined me. They are hard-working people and showed me great values.”
Desnoyers has a dangerous shot. He can pick a part of the net with the best of them, and the World is finally seeing that now. Seeing that he is off to a blazing start with the Mooseheads he hopes to sustain this type of success, and remain consistent all season. Desnoyers molds himself after a pretty good player too.
“I grew up watching the Montreal Canadiens,” Desnoyers says. “I grew up watching Brendan Gallagher, a guy that plays in all situations and makes his teammates better.”
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 said on Draft day
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. He leaves us pretty giddy with his favorite pre-game meal and All-Time favorite Flyer:
“Sweet potato with Chicken and Vegetables, nothing too heavy (Before the game). I grew up watching Claude Giroux. I remember in the playoffs against the Penguins he seemed like a good leader.”
