Preds Prospect L'Heureux Finds Success Through Challenging Season

The next day is never guaranteed.
Nashville Predators prospect Zachary L'Heureux knows that better than anyone after facing a 2021-22 season that was full of adversity, including injuries, suspensions and an extended break due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Eastern Canada.
Despite every hurdle thrown at him, the 19-year-old made the best of his third season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. L'Heureux, who was named assistant captain for the Halifax Mooseheads last October, ended his regular season as one of the team's top scorers with 56 points (22g-34a).

"There's been ups and downs, but it's definitely been a successful year so far," L'Heureux said. "It's been kind of an odd season with some issues that no one can stop, and I think I've been doing a great job."
Predators Assistant General Manager and Director of Scouting Jeff Kealty sees these obstacles as opportunities of growth for the young prospect.
"There's always challenges that any young player has to go through, especially with [L'Heureux] and the last couple of years with COVID-19 and everything else he's faced," Kealty said. "But that's all part of growing up. That's all part of maturing for [L'Heureux] on and off the ice."
L'Heureux's perseverance extends beyond his ability to work through difficult situations in his career. It also translates to his style on the ice, where he has developed a reputation as a feisty player who is able to leverage his opponent's frustration into offensive production.
"I can play that hard, gritty game and get in the corners and in my opponents' faces, but I also have the skill," L'Heureux said. "I can be dangerous from any area in the offensive zone; I can make plays and see passes and I have that high IQ that makes me a dual threat."
The 5-foot-11, 196-pound forward has drawn comparisons to the likes of Boston's Brad Marchand and Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk in his style of play and has been described as a 'human wrecking ball.'
"He plays full out all the time," Predators Chief Amateur Scout Tom Nolan said. "He's just got that infectious spirit about him; he's always in people's faces, plays hard and goes to the net."

This tenacity is one of the things that attracted the Predators to L'Heureux, as well as his ability to contribute offensively and his composure under pressure. It was an easy decision for the Predators staff to trade up into the first round in the 2021 NHL Draft and capitalize on the opportunity to select L'Heureux with 27th overall pick.
"The word 'culture' is more and more important," Predators North American Amateur Scout J-P Glaude said. "When we talk culture, we mean players that are dedicated; players that play hard; players who just hate to lose; players who can rise in the big moments; players that are extremely competitive. For us, Zach L'Heureux was bringing all those qualities."
The admiration goes both ways, as L'Heureux emphasized how influential the Predators developmental staff has been in his growth over the past season and how grateful he is for the opportunity that has been given to him.
"Having that support, knowing they're always on my side and wanting me to get better and getting so involved is special," L'Heureux said. "The opportunity that I have is still something that I fail to understand and comprehend. Nothing is handed to you, and the realization that in one day it could all be over keeps me motivated."
While L'Heureux has another season in the QMJHL ahead of him and is focused on building on this year's success, he looks forward to playing in Smashville one day.
When asked what Predators fans can expect, L'Heureux replied, "Lighting up the building and bringing an atmosphere that fans love to watch. I want to be a guy that can bring a lot of emotion and energy to a team and make everybody around him better."
It's a safe assumption to say L'Heureux will quickly become a fan favorite among the faithful in Nashville when the time comes, and for the prospect, that day can't come soon enough.
"I have one goal," L'Heureux said, "and it's to be a Nashville Predator one day."