Nicolas Deslauriers Bio
Nicolas Deslauriers is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL entry draft. His play has been described as a mix between an enforcer and a grinder. Deslauriers has established himself as a versatile player, contributing both offensively and defensively throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Nicolas Deslauriers was born on February 22, 1991, in LaSalle, Quebec, Canada, to parents Penny and Stephane, who co-own a moving company in Quebec. Growing up, Deslauriers played both baseball and ice hockey but decided to focus solely on ice hockey after qualifying for the midget Triple-A team Châteauguay Patriotes. As a child, his favorite player was Bobby Orr, which influenced his early interest in the sport.
Path to Hockey
Deslauriers played major junior ice hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and Gatineau Olympiques. At the 2009 NHL entry draft, he was selected in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. Following the draft, Deslauriers was tied for 12th among league defencemen with 45 points through 65 regular season games. He was traded to the Gatineau Olympiques prior to the 2010–11 QMJHL season, where he led all QMJHL defencemen in postseason scoring during the 2011 playoffs.
Nicolas Deslauriers Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
On May 31, 2011, the Los Angeles Kings signed Deslauriers to a three-year, entry-level contract. He was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, where he made his professional debut during the 2011–12 season, finishing with 14 points through 65 games. Deslauriers was recalled to the NHL level on May 9, 2013, and transitioned to a left winger position during training camp, where he recorded four goals during the preseason.
Breakthrough (2014–2019)
On March 5, 2014, Deslauriers was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, where he made his NHL debut on March 7, 2014. He scored his first NHL goal on April 4, 2014, and finished the season with one goal through 17 games. Deslauriers’ first full season as a winger came in 2014–15, where he played all 82 games, tallying 15 points and finishing ninth in the league with 261 hits. He was voted the Sabres’ Rookie of the Year that season. After three seasons with the Sabres, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in October 2017, where he continued to develop his skills and contribute to the team’s success.
Notable Works and Milestones
Deslauriers set the record for the fastest hat trick in Anaheim Ducks history after scoring three goals in the first period of a game against the Ottawa Senators. He signed a two-year contract to remain with the Ducks organization and was later traded to the Minnesota Wild in March 2022. As a free agent, he signed a four-year, $7 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 13, 2022.
Nicolas Deslauriers Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Nicolas Deslauriers has received recognition for his contributions on the ice, including being voted the Rookie of the Year by the Buffalo Sabres.
Nicolas Deslauriers Awards Won
Nicolas Deslauriers has not won any major awards but has been acknowledged for his performance and contributions to his teams.
Nicolas Deslauriers Family
Nicolas Deslauriers and his wife have four children together. His family life is an important aspect of his personal identity, and he values the time spent with them.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Deslauriers owns the XPN Centre in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec. He has a tattoo on his left arm that reads, “The future will be whatever you make it.” Deslauriers maintains a low profile regarding his personal life, focusing primarily on his professional career and family responsibilities.
