Nonconventional: The term nonconventional refers to anything that does not follow traditional rules, standards, or practices and is often described as unorthodox or alternative (Merriam-Webster, Collins Dictionary)
Nonconventional is one word that comes to mind when you take a look at Liam Lefebvre’s path in the game of hockey. The road less travelled is usually the most rewarding in the end and what Liam Lefebvre has done on his journey in the game not only showcases his talent, but more importantly his character and persistence. Liam Lefebvre’s journey began like countless other young Canadians dreaming of one day playing the NHL. Growing up in arguably the epicentre of hockey history, Montreal, Lefebvre’s modest beginnings in the game defined who he has become. Former QMJHL star and longtime pro David Alexandre Beauregard knew Lefebvre had what it took to have an impact very early on in the game. “I first coached Liam in Bantam AAA, he was a great kid. He was a very polite, well mannered quiet young man.”
“Liam was very smart, he always listened,” said Beauregard who is being inducted into the QMJHL’s Hall of Fame this year.
Behind that quiet unassuming young man lived a fierce competitive spirit and a true student of the game. “Very quickly we saw that he had skills and he had great potential to be a good offensive player,” stressed Beauregard.
“He didn’t really dominate the game that year, but we saw some flashes during games. Liam is a type of player who improved very quickly over these past four years. I’m very happy for him and I wish him the best luck possible, I’m just so proud of him, and what a year he has so far with Chicoutimi,” Beauregard said.
At 14 years old Lefebvre and his family chose to go south of the border in what some pundits call the “most important years” in a hockey players career to grow, mature and develop. Obviously, a choice like that isn’t taken lightly, and it’s crazy to think that choice in the game of hockey is thought to be controversial. Many within the hockey world instantly question a player and family’s decision to take an unconventional route when it comes to developmental opportunities. No one knows Lefebvre better than his former coach and mentor in Hartford at Trinity-Pawling School Bobby Ferraris.
“Liam has great character; he lived at our boarding school campus for three years, demonstrating resilience and teamwork as an exemplary Student-Athlete,” said Ferraris.
“Liam was an excellent student and a community leader, often supporting peers and fostering a positive environment. His commitment to the game and work ethic are outstanding.”
“Liam was known as a “rink rat” who is not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. His hockey aptitude is high, and his willingness to do anything for the team, including the granular details of the game, highlights his dedication.”
Perhaps Ferraris’ final analysis on his former player reveals the most about how fierce of a competitor Lefebvre really is. “Liam collaborates effectively with others in all situations, contributing to a cohesive team dynamic, but don’t let Liam’s smile and good looks fool you; he is a tough, sacrificial leader.”
Lefebvre’s decision to leave home at such a young age and take a perceived “unconventional” route in his development model has certainly paid dividends and ultimately has him on the path to the NHL. The highly skilled gritty scoring winger from Montreal made his first foray into the QMJHL after being invited by the Rimouski Oceanic to attend their training camp in 2024, and the rest is history.
“Liam was referred to me by a friend in the States,” said Rimouski Oceanic General Manager Danny Dupont.
“We looked at him, talked with the family and established a plan and it was done,” explained Dupont when asked about signing and bringing Lefebvre to Rimouski.
Dupont clearly didn’t want to move Lefebvre, but when the offers kept coming in, they had to consider all options especially for the betterment of the organization’s future. “It wasn’t in the plans to move him, the offers just got to a point in our rebuild that we had to do it,” stressed Dupont.
Short term loss for long-term gain, the Rimouski Oceanic has experienced the wrath of junior hockey’s dreaded cycle multiple times throughout its storied history. There’s no question Lefebvre left a lasting impression in his 34 games scoring 15 times and adding 14 assists and amassing 46 minutes in penalties. “Liam was great for us, he was in really great shape at camp and just kept getting better and better,” Dupont added.
Lefebvre drove the offensive charge on a very young rebuilding team in his first few months within the QMJHL this season which is incredibly difficult given he to was adjusting and making the jump to the league as a rookie.
Here’s my first report on the Lefebvre when I saw with in Moncton early on in the season.
Liam Lefebvre: It doesn’t take too long to notice how much potential and how good Liam Lefebvre really is, for me it was his first shift. This kid jumps off the page in so many categories, At 6’3 he skates incredibly well and has tremendous edge control. He processes the game and wing position extremely well and takes great lines to pucks in all three zones, but especially on the forecheck. This kid is only about 10 games into his Q career, and he possesses a very underrated two-way game. On the defensive side of things he competes like hell, back checks with purpose and has a very active stick, he seals guys off with his body and uses his leverage to win puck battles, He skates so well he can beat opponents to pucks and wins the vast majority of puck battles along the halfboards.
He has great vision and is a tremendous passer of the puck, he makes subtle plays with and without the puck and makes great decisions with the puck, I realize comparisons are sometimes difficult and unfair to make, but Liam Lefebvre plays a very similar game to that of Ottawa Senators power forward Drake Batherson. I saw Batherson play in his first full season in the Q and Lefebvre is on a similar trajectory. From an offensive side of things Lefebvre drives opportunities has a very heavy accurate shot, and he can get it off very quickly and in stride. He has very good puck skills in traffic and finds all of the quiet areas of the ice in the offensive zone.
Obviously, he doesn’t have Batherson’s scoring touch in tight or puck skills in traffic yet, but this kid could surprise a lot of teams and has the potential to be a late 2nd or very early 3rd round pick if he continues to play the right way and plays with pace. Some big body skilled forwards rely too heavily on their skill to get things done, this kid plays the game the right way every time he steps on the ice, If he continues to work on his skating and 1st step this kid is going places in the game!
When Lefebvre and Sags came back into Moncton on the backside of a 3 in 3 situation during the Hockey Day in Canada weekend festivities, it was clear that Lefebvre had elevated his physicality and grit and really wanted to impact the lineup and showcase his complete two-way game and that’s exactly what he has done during his time with the Sags.
One of my concerns after hearing of the trade I was worried that Lefebvre would be buried on the 4th line on a very deep Sags team, but the complete opposite has happened during his time with the second best hockey club in the Q.
Lefebvre has gone on to be an impact player for the Sags and a player that is trusted to play in any situation. His stride and skating ability on the big ice isn’t a deficiency or “a big of deal” as some scouts or critics would have made on because his routes to pucks and play away from the pucks is so technically sound.
This kid is a responsible and very accountable two-way player that absolutely does everything in his power to help his team win. Fast forward some five months after that January tilt at the Avenir and I have the pleasure of watching Lefebvre in the league finals and he hasn’t disappointed. He was very noticeable in Game 1 and we all know what he did at the end of Game 2, but his start to Game 2 perhaps wasn’t his best. Lefebvre addressed the importance of having a “B Game” when his “A Game” isn’t going and his path to this point in his career. My initial thoughts on his potential draft selection has changed, I think Lefebvre will go in the mid 2nd round of this year’s NHL draft especially based on his production throughout the year and into the playoffs.
“I think its just kind of staying composed through the game,” Lefebvre said of not having his A game going and bringing that B game to the ice.
“I try to be physical as much as I can and kind of like getting in guys faces and stuff, and continuing that most of the game, so I stay in it, and you know try to take advantages of those opportunities when I get them,” said the quiet confident winger. It wasn’t hard to tell by the look on his face during that presser after Game 2 what the opportunity to come to the QMJHL means to Lefebvre and how much he loves the game of hockey.
Given your path in the game where you were last year to where you are now, did you ever think you would have this big of impact at this level, this soon?
“Yeah I think for sure it was a good opportunity that I got, I probably wasn’t expecting that back last year at this time, but I think I took that opportunity and made use of it,” Lefebvre said when asked if he expected this type of impact this quickly in the QMJHL and given his path in the game.
“Coming in here with this team, it’s been incredible and I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Lefebvre said.
An opportunity might be the only thing a player ever needs to prove they belong. Liam Lefebvre didn’t take the “traditional” path to this point in his career. Some people may say that’s unconventional while others believe that only galvanizes and defines who the player is and will become. The road less travelled is usually the most rewarding, Liam Lefebvre is the perfect example of that.
The Quick Shift 