Alex Laferriere Bio
Alex Laferriere is an American professional ice hockey player who plays right wing for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on October 28, 2001, in Chatham, New Jersey, he has developed into a reliable scoring winger known for his work ethic and steady development path through youth, junior, collegiate, and professional hockey. Laferriere was selected 83rd overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in October 2023.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 205 pounds, Laferriere combines size with a two-way approach that has allowed him to contribute at every level he has played. After completing his college career at Harvard University, he signed an entry-level contract with the Kings and quickly earned a full-time role in the NHL. In August 2025, he signed a three-year contract extension worth $12.3 million, underlining his importance to the franchise’s long-term plans.
Early Life and Background
Alex Laferriere was born on October 28, 2001, in Chatham, New Jersey, where he grew up with strong family ties to the sport of ice hockey. His father, Rob Laferriere, played college ice hockey for the Princeton Tigers and the Boston College Eagles, giving his son an early connection to the game. Laferriere’s introduction to skating came through his mother, who offered him lessons, though he initially refused until his sister promised him Skittles. That playful moment helped spark his lifelong interest in hockey.
As a young athlete, Laferriere often faced challenges because of his size. He stood only 5 feet 2 inches tall by his freshman year of high school and was regularly passed over for spots on top youth teams. Around age 16, he experienced a significant growth spurt that allowed his game to develop more fully. He attended Chatham High School in his hometown before spending time at the University of Nebraska High School and then completing a postgraduate year at Kent School in Connecticut, where he averaged close to two points per game during the 2018–19 season.
During that final prep season, Laferriere became the second-leading point producer in the New England area and finished with 19 goals and 34 assists in 27 games for Kent. His strong performance attracted attention from both collegiate programs and junior hockey scouts.
Path to Hockey
Laferriere’s progression through organized hockey began with the New Jersey Colonials and the North Jersey Avalanche, two prominent youth programs in his home state. His play at Kent School quickly elevated his profile, and he committed initially to play college hockey for the Army Black Knights before later switching his commitment to the Harvard Crimson. The decision to join one of the most prestigious academic and athletic programs in the country reflected both his skill and his academic priorities.
To sharpen his game before college, Laferriere joined the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the latter part of the 2018–19 season, appearing in 12 games. 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 team’s most valuable player and earned an invitation to the BioSteel All-American Game, establishing himself as one of the top prospects in his draft class.
Internationally, Laferriere represented the United States at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, playing six games and gaining valuable experience against high-level competition. That same year, he was selected in the third round, 83rd overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
Alex Laferriere Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Laferriere’s most formative developmental years came with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL. After a brief introduction late in 2018–19, he returned for a full 2019–20 campaign and emerged as the club’s offensive leader. His production earned him team MVP honors and a place in the BioSteel All-American Game, signaling his arrival on the national scouting radar.
In the 2020–21 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Laferriere played 49 games for the Buccaneers and totaled 50 points on 26 goals and 24 assists. That consistency reinforced his standing as a top prospect for the Kings and prepared him for the next step in his development at the collegiate level.
Harvard Era (2021–2023)
Laferriere began his college career with the Harvard Crimson in 2021–22 and immediately produced. He posted 31 points on 14 goals and 17 assists in 35 games, earning ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year honors along with selections to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team and the Third-Team All-ECAC Hockey. His impact helped establish Harvard as a contender in the conference.
In 2022–23, Laferriere played 34 games and helped Harvard reach the NCAA tournament, finishing with 21 goals and 21 assists. He was named Second-Team All-ECAC Hockey for his performance, capping a strong two-year collegiate run. Following the season, he turned professional and appeared in four games with the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League, scoring one goal to begin his pro transition.
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 in the Kings’ season-opening game on October 11 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 early milestone in his professional career.
Laferriere settled into a regular role with the Kings and continued to develop his game at the NHL level through the 2024–25 season. On August 2, 2025, he signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension with Los Angeles, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his trajectory as a core piece of their forward group.
Driving Style and Strengths
Laferriere plays a direct, physical style that suits a power-forward role. His late growth spurt allowed him to develop the frame needed to win battles along the boards, protect pucks along the walls, and drive to the net. He combines a responsible two-way game with a willingness to shoot from dangerous areas, making him a complementary scorer alongside the Kings’ top playmakers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Laferriere’s most significant moments are his ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year award in 2021–22, his first NHL goal against the Boston Bruins in October 2023, and his three-year, $12.3 million contract extension signed in August 2025. Each step has marked his steady climb from a youth player once overlooked for his size to a contracted NHL winger.
Alex Laferriere Career Wins
Alex Laferriere’s competitive résumé features individual awards at every level he has played, even though team championships have been limited. His honors include ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year, Second-Team All-ECAC Hockey, and Des Moines Buccaneers MVP recognition, highlighting his consistent offensive production and two-way responsibility.
USHL Highlights
During his time with the Des Moines Buccaneers, Laferriere led the team in scoring in 2019–20 with 45 points in 42 games and was named team MVP. The following season, he added 50 points in 49 games, cementing his status as one of the USHL’s top scorers and a key reason the Kings targeted him in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Other Wins and Performances
Laferriere represented the United States at the 2019 World Junior A Challenge, playing six games and gaining international experience. He also earned invitations to the BioSteel All-American Game after his standout 2019–20 USHL season, further validating his prospect pedigree.
Alex Laferriere Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Laferriere household. His father, Rob Laferriere, played college ice hockey for both the Princeton Tigers and the Boston College Eagles, giving Alex an early model of what a high-level hockey career could look like. His mother’s encouragement to try skating, paired with his sister’s playful bribe of Skittles, ultimately launched his lifelong love of the game.
Personal Life
Laferriere grew up in Chatham, New Jersey, and has kept his personal life largely private as he focuses on his professional hockey career. He attended Chatham High School before pursuing higher-level hockey opportunities, and he later enrolled at Harvard University to balance academics with athletics.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been a defining stretch for Alex Laferriere. He signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Kings on August 2, 2025, locking in his place within the team’s long-term core. The deal reflects both his growth as a player and the franchise’s belief in his continued development.
On the ice, Laferriere continues to play a regular role on the wing, contributing two-way play and a steady offensive presence. His combination of size, skating, and a direct attacking style has made him a dependable middle-six option for the Kings as they push for sustained playoff success.
Heading into the remainder of the 2025–26 NHL season, Laferriere’s outlook is bright. With his contract situation settled and his role clearly defined, he can focus on building on the momentum of his first two NHL campaigns and helping the Kings compete in a competitive Western Conference playoff picture.