It’s never too early to start talking about the NHL Draft, and there will be many questions facing this young orange and black team come June. Some questions range from are they going to move up or back? Are the Flyers drafting for positional needs in the system, such as Right-Handed Defenseman? These are some very valid questions that people have.
Injuries are never easy to deal with in the World of sports. Some players struggle mentally while trying to rehab from injury, while some others try to come back to soon. For Hendrix Lapierre, coming back from his injuries this past season was not easy, “It’s just kind of hard to deal with,” Lapierre said to me in an interview, “Not playing is really tough, and hard. However, I think I bounced back pretty well, just took it day by day.”
Lapierre continued, “It was really unfortunate with all the injuries in regards to my season. My season went as good as one could expect coming back from injury, and I think I rebounded as best as I could.” Lapierre stands at 6’0” and weighs 181 pounds, and he has the highest ceiling in the draft (In my opinion). He can skate circles around players, and has a great hockey sense. If Lapierre did not get hurt this past year, there is no denying he would have been a top 10 selection at the draft.
The young 18-year-old prospect in Lapierre was born on February, 9, 2002, in Gatineau, QC, CAN. This Canadian native found a passion, and a love for the sport of hockey at a very young age, and as a matter of fact I’m sure he started skating when he was just 2-3 years old. His passion for the game found himself playing for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens for the 2019-20 season, where he torched the league (2g,15a in 19 games played). Lapierre sustained a few upper body injuries this past season, and it was really unfortunate for this talented playmaker. He is an excellent two-way player that sees the ice extremely well. Lapierre makes crisp passes through tight spaces, and has a great hockey IQ. By the time players try to defend him, more often than not, he’s blown by them.
Lapierre has great acceleration, and he is tough to move off the puck. He just has to stay healthy, and he knows that. Lapierre has all the tools to be a successful NHL player, “It’s not pressure to play for a good program like Chicoutimi,” Lapierre said,“There are a lot of good players here, and everyone helps you. But, I do not think playing for this good program adds pressure to succeed.”
The young prospect in Lapierre continues, “Everybody’s doing good during this pandemic. The siblings are happy to be out of school (Laughing). I just try to work on small areas of my game to become a better player. My shot, adding strength, and power.“
This 18-year old, young prospect knew the importance of just having fun, and letting the game come to him this past season. Moreover, he worked very hard in the off-season, and was able to improve his game tremendously for the 2019-20 season when he was able to play. Lapierre is a speedster, is physical, and accelerates like the breeze of the wind. Moreover, Lapierre doesn’t sit around puck watching, has a killer wrist shot, and can transition with the best of them. He’s one of the most talented players in the draft with transitioning from defense to offense, “My family overall helped me,” Lapierre said, “I put pressure on myself, and they just helped me through this.”
This young prospect from Gatineau has really opened some eyes, and showcased his skills as he’s on the cusp of fulfilling his dream of getting drafted into the NHL. It shows just how good Lapierre really can be. His effort, and dedication for the sport of hockey really sets himself apart from other prospects. Maybe Lapierre is meant to be a Flyer, “I actually watched Flyers hockey this season,” Lapierre said, “Travis Konecny is a good player.” In the end, Flyers fans would love this young man if he fell to the orange and black.
