Alexis Lafreniere suspended three games by QMJHL for hit to the head

HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16:  Alexis Lafreniere #11 of Team White skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team Red at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada.  (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16: Alexis Lafreniere #11 of Team White skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team Red at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Alexis Lafreniere may be known primarily for his elite offensive abilities, but it’s his physical game that’s making headlines today.

On Tuesday afternoon the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League officially announced that they have suspended Lafreniere three games for check to the head he threw at Quebec Remparts forward Thomas Caron on Sunday night. Immediately following the play, Lafreniere was assessed a five-minute major along with a game misconduct.

Footage of the hit in question can be found below.

Largely expected to be the top pick at the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lafreniere is in the midst of a career-best season with the Rimouski Oceanic. Through 39 games, the 18-year-old has amassed a whopping 24 goals and 60 assists for 84 points, the latter of which leads the entire QMJHL.

Lafreniere also joined Team Canada for this year’s World Junior Championship where he was named tournament MVP, leading Canada to a gold medal with 10 points in five games. Having finished atop the NHL’s midseason rankings for North American draft-eligible prospects rankings in December, if Lafreniere were to be selected first overall, he would be the first Canadian-born player to accomplish that feat since Connor McDavid in 2015.

Lafreniere will be eligible to return to the Oceanic lineup February 7th versus the Shawinigan Cataractes.

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