Alex Laferriere Bio
Alex Laferriere (born October 28, 2001) is an American professional ice hockey player who plays right wing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Chatham, New Jersey, he advanced through youth hockey, the United States Hockey League, and Harvard University before turning professional with the Kings organization. Drafted 83rd overall in 2020, he has earned recognition for his scoring touch and composure on the ice.
Early Life and Background
Alex Laferriere was born on October 28, 2001, in Chatham, New Jersey, where he grew up and attended Chatham High School. He comes from a family with a strong athletic tradition; his father, Rob Laferriere, played college ice hockey for the Princeton Tigers and the Boston College Eagles, exposing Alex to the sport from a young age. His mother once offered him skating lessons, which he initially refused until his sister persuaded him with the promise of Skittles, a small moment that helped spark his lifelong interest in hockey.
As a young player, Laferriere was often passed over by top youth programs because of his size. He stood only 5 feet 2 inches by his freshman year of high school, which made scouts hesitant despite his evident skill. Around age 16, he experienced a significant growth spurt that allowed him to compete physically at higher levels and drew attention from more competitive programs.
He played youth hockey for the New Jersey Colonials and the North Jersey Avalanche, refining his game in regional competition. He later spent time with the University of Nebraska High School and completed a year at Kent School in Connecticut, where he averaged close to two points per game during the 2018–19 season. He finished that year as the second-leading scorer in the New England area, recording 19 goals and 34 assists in 27 games.
Path to Hockey
Laferriere initially committed to play college hockey for the Army Black Knights before changing his commitment to the Harvard Crimson. While still in high school, he joined the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League for the end of the 2018–19 season, appearing in 12 games and gaining valuable experience against older competition. The USHL became a key development stage for his offensive game.
In 2019–20, he played 42 games for the Buccaneers and led the team in scoring with 45 points, tying for the team lead in goals with 19 and assists with 26. He was named the Buccaneers’ most valuable player and earned an invitation to the BioSteel All-American Game. Following that breakout season, the Los Angeles Kings selected him in the third round with the 83rd overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Internationally, Laferriere represented the United States at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, where he played six games and continued to build his resume. These experiences helped him enter Harvard as one of the most touted incoming freshmen in college hockey.
Alex Laferriere Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Laferriere’s first major step into competitive hockey came with the Des Moines Buccaneers, where he joined late in the 2018–19 season and quickly showed scoring ability. Over the next two seasons, he developed into one of the USHL’s most productive forwards, finishing the 2020–21 campaign with 50 points on 26 goals and 24 assists in 49 games.
His play in Des Moines confirmed the projection that followed his growth spurt, and the Los Angeles Kings viewed him as a long-term prospect. The Kings’ scouting staff tracked his development closely, and his combination of skill, hockey sense, and character made him a clear candidate to turn professional once his college eligibility was complete.
Harvard Crimson Years (2021–2023)
Laferriere began his collegiate career with Harvard in 2021–22, posting 31 points on 14 goals and 17 assists in 35 games. His strong debut earned him the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year award, a spot on the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team, and third-team All-ECAC Hockey honors, marking him as one of the top freshmen in the conference.
In 2022–23, he played 34 games and helped Harvard reach the NCAA tournament, recording 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points. His production earned him a selection to the second-team All-ECAC Hockey. After the season, he turned professional and appeared in four games with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, scoring one goal.
Los Angeles Kings Era (2023–Present)
Following his first AHL appearance, Laferriere signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings on April 9, 2023. He was assigned to the AHL to start the 2023–24 season but was recalled on October 9 and made his NHL debut two days later against the Colorado Avalanche, recording four shots on goal in a 5–2 loss.
He scored his first NHL goal on October 21, 2023, in a 4–2 loss against the Boston Bruins, a memorable milestone early in his rookie season. Laferriere quickly became a regular in the Kings’ lineup, contributing consistent two-way play and an offensive dimension that helped stabilize their forward group.
On August 2, 2025, Laferriere signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension with the Kings, reflecting his growth into a core member of the franchise. Standing 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 205 pounds, he brings size, speed, and a reliable shot to the right wing position.
Playing Style and Strengths
Laferriere is recognized for his strong skating, persistent forechecking, and willingness to engage physically along the boards. His game emphasizes straight-line speed, a quick release on his shot, and responsible play in his own end, which has made him a trusted option in multiple situations. Coaches have valued his work ethic and his ability to translate his scoring instincts from junior and college hockey into the NHL pace.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins in October 2023 stands as one of the signature early moments of his professional career. Additional milestones include his ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year award, his invitation to the BioSteel All-American Game, and his long-term contract extension with the Kings in 2025.
Alex Laferriere Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Alex Laferriere comes from a family with deep ties to ice hockey. His father, Rob Laferriere, played college hockey for both the Princeton Tigers and the Boston College Eagles, giving Alex an early understanding of the demands of the sport. Rob’s background helped shape Alex’s competitive mindset and his approach to the game.
Personal Life
Laferriere grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, where he attended Chatham High School before continuing his development at Kent School in Connecticut. He has often spoken about the role his family played in his development, including the lighthearted story of his sister promising him Skittles in exchange for agreeing to skating lessons, an experience he credits with starting his journey in hockey.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 NHL season, Laferriere entered the first year of his new three-year, $12.3 million contract extension signed in August 2025, reinforcing his role in the Kings’ long-term plans. He continued to feature as a regular right winger, contributing on both special teams and at even strength while logging consistent minutes.
His early-season form reflected the steady progression he has shown since his 2023 debut, with strong two-way play and an increased willingness to shoot the puck. The Kings leaned on his energy and reliability as they battled for positioning in the Pacific Division.
Looking ahead, Laferriere’s combination of youth, size, and production positions him as a key piece of the Kings’ core. His continued growth on the ice, paired with the long-term commitment from the organization, signals that he is expected to be a central figure in Los Angeles for years to come.
