Trio named finalists for Michael-Bossy Trophy

Alexis Lafreniere of the Rimouski Oceanic and Dawson Mercer and Hendrix Lapierre of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens have been named finalists for the Michael-Bossy Trophy, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced Tuesday.

The Michael-Bossy Trophy is awarded to the league’s top professional prospects ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft. Its past recipients include Mario Lemieux, Pat LaFontaine, Sidney Crosby and Vincent Lecavalier.

Lafreniere, who was awarded the Jean-Béliveau trophy last Saturday as the top point-getter of the regular season on Saturday, had 112 points (35 goals, 77 assists) in 52 games for a points-per-game average of 2.15. The 18-year-old, who was named Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year last season, also helped Canada to gold at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship in January. He is the consensus top pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, and topped Future Considerations’ Spring ranking for the 2020 draft.

Mercer, ranked 12th, had 60 points (24 goals, 36 points) in 42 games between the Drummondville Voltigeurs and Sagueneens. He, like Lafreniere, also helped Canada to gold at the World Juniors after earning an invitation to represent the QMJHL in the Canada Russia Series.

Lapierre, ranked 26th, had 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in 19 games in what was an injury-riddled campaign. Lapierre, selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2018 QMJHL Entry Draft, had 45 points (13 goals, 32 assists) in 48 games as a rookie in 2018-19.