Kings select Alex Turcotte with No. 5 pick
The Los Angeles Kings selected Island Lake, Ill., native Alex Turcotte with the fifth overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.
Alex Turcotte
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 185 lbs
Age: 18
Club: USA U-18 (NTDP)
Nationality: American
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 27 | 35 | 62 |
(Stats courtesy: EliteProspects.com)
Turcotte was the fourth-ranked North American skater in the draft by NHL Central Scouting and was projected to be taken in the top 10.
The tenacious, two-way center plays the game at a high speed and possesses a strong hockey IQ. His elite skill set combined with a tireless work ethic and competitive edge help separate him from the pack.
Despite losing half his season to injury, Turcotte finished second on the U.S. Under-18 team with 1.67 points per game.
What they're saying
“He’s got skills mixed with tenacity," head coach Seth Appert said, according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "And those guys never go away and they’re always there when you need them."
“His motor is running the entire shift and he plays extremely hard, plus he’s extremely talented," assistant coach Nick Fohr said, according to Wheeler. "So that’s a pretty high-end player, that works that hard.”