Sudbury Wolves centre Quinton Byfield has made National Hockey League history by becoming the highest-drafted Black player ever, when the Los Angeles Kings selected him second overall in the NHL draft last night.
Byfield also broke a Sudbury Wolves record, becoming the highest-drafted Wolves player in the team’s 48-year history. In 1979, Mike Foligno was drafted by Detroit as their third pick.
Following the draft, Byfield told reporters he felt very special for getting into the record books for being the highest-drafted Black player in NHL history. He said the NHL is doing a “good job” with inclusivity, and thinks it would be nice to get involved in that capacity and be a positive role model.
He also said he thinks he can start playing on the national level next year.
In the 2019-2020 season, Byfield played 45 games for the Wolves. He scored 32 goals and notched 50 assists for a total of 82 points for the season. He also played for Team Canada in the World Junior U-20 Championships, playing seven games and earning one assist.
Congratulations and kudos for the 18-year-old poured in from fans, teams and the league.
The OHL highlighted the milestones Byfield’s draft position represents.
Byfield’s current home team, the Sudbury Wolves, echoed the congratulations.Quinton Byfield (@byfield55) led the way for the #OHL, going second overall to the @LAKings to become the highest-drafted Black player in #NHLDraft history, as well as the highest-drafted player in the 48-year history of the @Sudbury_Wolves.
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) October 7, 2020
READ 📰: https://t.co/qeOffhAFiY pic.twitter.com/U0p9V1WeXv
History has been MADE 👊 Quinton Byfield becomes the highest-ever drafted Black Player in the @NHL history.
— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) October 7, 2020
Byfield a name you won’t forget 🔥#NHLDraft | @LAKings pic.twitter.com/cTKphk6MBr
