Quinton Byfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quinton Byfield |
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Byfield with the Los Angeles Kings in 2023
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| Born | August 19, 2002 Newmarket, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | ||
| Weight | 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Shoots | Left | ||
| NHL team | Los Angeles Kings | ||
| NHL Draft | 2nd overall, 2020 Los Angeles Kings |
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| Playing career | 2021–present | ||
Quinton Byfield (born August 19, 2002) is a talented Canadian ice hockey player. He plays as a centre for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League (NHL), which is the top professional hockey league. Quinton was chosen as the second overall pick by the Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, a big moment for young players hoping to join the NHL. He made his first appearance in the NHL in 2021.
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Quinton Byfield's Hockey Journey
Starting Strong in Junior Hockey
Quinton Byfield was a standout player even before joining the NHL. In 2018, he was the very first player picked in the OHL Draft. The OHL, or Ontario Hockey League, is one of Canada's major junior hockey leagues where young players develop their skills.
He quickly showed his talent, winning both the OHL Rookie of the Year and the CHL Rookie of the Year awards. The CHL, or Canadian Hockey League, is the umbrella organization for Canada's top junior leagues. During the 2018–19 season, he scored 29 goals and earned 61 points in 64 games, which is a great start for a young player.
Joining the Los Angeles Kings
After being picked second overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Quinton Byfield signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Kings on October 16, 2020. This type of contract is called an "entry-level contract" for new players.
To start the 2020–21 season, he was sent to the Kings' minor league team, the Ontario Reign, which plays in the American Hockey League (AHL). The AHL is a league where players often play before moving up to the NHL.
While playing for the Ontario Reign, Byfield was part of a special line with teammates Akil Thomas and Devante Smith-Pelly. This line made history as the first all-Black line in professional ice hockey since the 1940s. In their first game together, they played incredibly well, showing great teamwork.
Making His NHL Debut
Quinton Byfield made his exciting NHL debut on April 28, 2021. This was a big step in his career, even though his team lost that game to the Anaheim Ducks. Just a few days later, on May 5, 2021, he earned his first NHL point in a game against the Arizona Coyotes, helping his team win.
In October 2021, Byfield faced a challenge when he fractured his ankle. This injury kept him from playing with the Kings for a while. However, he worked hard to recover and returned to the NHL on January 20, 2022.
He scored his very first NHL goal on January 27, 2022, in a game against the New York Islanders, which was a thrilling moment for him and his fans. Later, on April 25, 2023, he scored his first goal in the NHL Playoffs during a game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Playing for Team Canada
Quinton Byfield has also proudly represented his home country, Canada, in international hockey tournaments.
| Medal record | ||
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Representing  Canada |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 2020 Czech Republic | |
| Silver | 2021 Canada | |
He won a silver medal at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which is a tournament for young hockey stars. Byfield then won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in the Czech Republic. This is a very important tournament for junior players from around the world. He helped his team by getting one assist in seven games.
The next year, Byfield won another medal with Canada, a silver medal, at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships held in Canada. In this tournament, he scored two goals and had five assists, totaling seven points in seven games, showing his growing skill on the international stage.
Awards and Achievements
Quinton Byfield has received several awards for his excellent performance in junior hockey:
- Emms Family Award (2018–19): This award is given to the top rookie in the OHL.
- CHL Rookie of the Year (2018–19): This award recognizes the best rookie player across all three major junior leagues in Canada, which are part of the CHL.
