Quinton Byfield was selected second in this year's virtual NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. By doing so, he comes the highest-drafted Black player in NHL history.
“I think it is definitely something special and I want to be the highest Black drafted in the NHL,” Byfield said.
Prior to the 2020 NHL Draft, only two other Black players had been drafted in the top five. San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane was drafted fourth overall in 2009. Four years later, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Seth Jones was also selected fourth overall.
"I think that it shows that having guys like Evander Kane and Seth Jones and P.K. Subban getting drafted and being impact players helped me growing up. It gave me the example that I could do it some day. Maybe I could see myself as a player," Byfield added.
Prior to landing in Los Angeles, Byfield played two seasons in Ontario's Hockey League with the Sudbury Wolves. While there, he scored 32 goals and piled up 82 points in 45 games. In his first year, he earned Rookie of the Year honors and in his second year, he earned a spot on the third all-star team. Not to mention, he played for the Canadian national team in the 2020 World Junior Championship and was the youngest player on the gold medal-winning team.
“Now it is my time and my turn to take that role. It would be special to know that with this new generation that you could make an impact," Byfield stated.
Byfield will have an opportunity to begin making an impact when the NHL returns in January.
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