The Los Angeles Kings have signed centre Quinton Byfield to a three-year entry-level contract. The team drafted him second overall in the recent 2020 NHL Draft. He became the highest drafted Black player ever.
LA better stock up on bow ties! ✒️ @Byfield55 will wear #55 with the LA Kings.
https://t.co/8CTz3ABPCU— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 16, 2020
Quinton Byfield Signs Entry-Level Contract
Forward Quinton Byfield has signed his entry level contract with the Kings. The 6’4″, 214 pound centre was selected second overall in the 2020 NHL draft, which also makes him the highest drafted black player in NHL history. Byfield played with the Sudbury Wolves last season in the Ontario Hockey League. In just 45 games, Byfield scored a whopping 32 goals and 50 assists for a total of 82 points. This gave him on a dominant points-per-game average of 1.82. At that rate, Byfield was on pace to score about 124 points in a full 68 game OHL season. Byfield was one of the youngest prospects eligible for the 2020 draft as well, as he was born on August 19, 2002.
Where He Fits
Although Byfield is a great player, it is fairly unlikely that he plays for the Kings next season. The Kings have a logjam at the forward position, and only one or two roster spots really up for grabs. Competing for those spots will be players who are older and have more more pro experienced than Byfield, such as Matt Luff, Samuel Fagemo, and Michael Amadio. While there is still a chance Byfield makes the team, expect him to start his season in the OHL. This is of course assuming that the OHL has a season. The AHL is not an option for Byfield though, as players who are drafted out of major junior are ineligible to play there until they are at least 20 years old.
Another spot Byfield should be looking to play is at the World Junior Championship with Team Canada. After an underwhelming performance last year scoring just one assist in seven games, he will look to play a bigger role this time around for his country.
Main Photo:
