With the second pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Los Angeles Kings made a bit of hockey history by picking forward Quinton Byfield, making him the highest drafted Black player in the league.
The 6-4, 215-pound center from Newmarket, Ontario has had a notable two seasons in the OHL so far and was projected to go high. Byfield was the 2018-2019 OHL Rookie of the Year and put up 32 goals and 82 points in 45 games this past season.
“Quinton is an exceptional young man and talented player with a very bright future,” said Kings GM Rob Blake. “We’re proud to be adding him to our organization and look forward to the next stages of his development and a promising career in LA.”
Quinton Byfield is drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Kings, making him the highest drafted Black player in NHL history #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/XntPlk9EtV
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) October 6, 2020
Byfield had a small party on hand to celebrate his entry into the NHL.
Byfield puts on that Los Angeles Kings jersey for the first time pic.twitter.com/aVA2beHKIz
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) October 6, 2020
Of course, Byfield also likes dogs.
We might have a new front runner for Bark Madness 🐶 #NHLDraft #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/jcAgHcHLAY
— LA Kings (@LAKings) October 6, 2020
It might be a dubious distinction that it took to 2020 to get here, but in a league that’s as monochromatic as the NHL, the draft pick is a small moment worth celebrating. Congrats to Quinton!
