Lafreniere says being No. 1 pick in NHL Draft an 'unreal feeling'

Alexis Lafreniere sat between his mom, Nathalie, and his sister, Lori-Jane. Dad Hugo was on the far side, so it was his job to go get the New York Rangers jersey and hat.

That was the extent of the Lafreniere 2020 NHL Draft party on Tuesday, the immediate family celebrating the 18-year-old left wing getting picked No. 1 by the Rangers on a night the NHL conducted an all-virtual first round for the first time.

"It's different, and we didn't expect that a couple months ago," Lafreniere said. "It's still an honor, a big day in my life. I woke up and was really excited. I got ready for the pick. It was just a huge honor for me when I heard my name. I'm just a little bit speechless and really excited."

Lafreniere's draft party had to be limited to his immediate family because his home in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, is in a COVID-19 red zone as mandated by the provincial government, meaning nobody else is allowed inside or outside the house.

So instead of getting hugs and congratulations from friends and extended family in person, Lafreniere received them all on his phone, through text messages, phone calls and FaceTimes, which in many respects was perfect considering the NHL was holding an all-virtual draft.

The 2020 NHL Draft was supposed to take place at Bell Centre in Montreal, about 20 miles from Lafreniere's hometown, on June 26-27, but it was postponed March 25 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

The curveball that kept him at home with mom, dad and Lori-Jane didn't stop Lafreniere from smiling and experiencing that tingly, did this really just happen feeling that all No. 1 picks typically get, whether they're in a packed arena or in the quiet of their own home.

"It was an unreal feeling," Lafreniere said. "Obviously, the New York Rangers are a great organization, and for me, I'm really honored to join them. When I heard my name, we've been waiting for a long time, so it was something really special for me and for my family."

Next for Lafreniere is actually getting himself to New York City, but nobody is sure yet when that can happen, especially with the restrictions in place in Quebec and at the U.S.-Canadian border.

Lafreniere said he has never been to New York City.

"We've spent a lot of time talking to him about what he's doing and we're pretty happy with what he's been doing right now for his workouts, his skating and who he has been skating with," Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton said. "We'll ramp that up as we go forward next week and try to come up with a game plan, but we're like the rest of the world, we're trying to figure this part out, what's next."

The NHL and NHL Players' Association announced the new target date to start next season is Jan. 1.

"I don't know when it's going to be but probably in the next couple months or so," Lafreniere said of arriving in New York. "We'll talk with the staff and see what happens."

Lafreniere also will have to choose the number he'll wear on his jersey. He wore No. 11 with Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but that is retired by the Rangers for both Mark Messier and Vic Hadfield.

"For sure I'm going to choose pretty soon," Lafreniere said.

He will choose because all indications are Lafreniere will be in the NHL with the Rangers next season.

Gorton said the Rangers felt so strongly about Lafreniere that they knew he would be their selection the moment they won the Second Phase of the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery on Aug. 10.

The GM added that the Rangers never realistically considered trading the No. 1 pick.

"We didn't speak to him prior to the lottery because, you know, it's a lottery and we didn't think we had a chance," Gorton said. "Then when you win the lottery you start diving a little more into it, and he passes with flying colors on most things, all things really. There wasn't a lot of debate as far as our No. 1 player."

Lafreniere was named the most valuable player of the QMJHL and Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, the first back-to-back winner of each award since Sidney Crosby (2003-05).

Both played for Rimouski.

He scored 112 points (35 goals, 77 assists) in 52 games this season. Lafreniere was also named the MVP and best forward at the 2020 World Junior Championship, where he helped Canada win the championship.

"He's a great talent that has a lot of things going for him," Gorton said. "He's got skill, skating, shoots. He's got great vision. He plays hard. He's got leadership capabilities. He has big-moment capabilities. He's always come through in clutch times."

That's what the Rangers will eventually expect from Lafreniere.

For now, he'll stay hunkered down at home, celebrating his big night months after it was originally supposed to happen, limited by provincial government restrictions that can't ruin the feeling of being the No. 1 pick.

"Growing up, you're dreaming of being drafted, and for me, it's amazing to go first," Lafreniere said. "Really honored.

"I'm really excited to see the New York fans and to come to New York."

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