The Draft Analyst

Fantasy Summary

A complete two-way centre with elite speed and offensive tools. The entire package.


Observations

Click to Expand

October 2022 – After a season-ending concussion sidelined Turcotte from Ontario’s second-round playoff series against the Colorado Eagles, the Kings got a great sign of his recovery during training camp. Turcotte missed the entirety of the preseason and the Rookie Faceoff Tournament but was skating on his own. While this is an encouraging sign for Turcotte, his timeline for being cleared to play is still unknown. Once cleared, he is expected to be assigned to AHL Ontario to get back up to speed. If he can find success with the Reign, he should be on a shortlist for a call-up to the big club for a few looks this season and get every opportunity to make the opening night roster in 2023-24. Sean Crocker

March 2022 – Between COVID-19 protocols and injury, Turcotte has managed to suit up for 26 of Ontario’s 51 games this season. This has not slowed the former 5th overall pick, as he has amassed a respectable 18 points in those 26 games. Turcotte has a few obstacles on the depth chart to overcome before becoming a  threat to crack the NHL roster full-time. A move to the wing or a trade could open an opportunity for the versatile forward. Sean Crocker

April 2021 – After helping lead the United States to a gold medal at the 2021 World Juniors, Turcotte has begun his pro career with the Ontario Reign. He has been productive in his rookie season with ten points in his first 16 games in the minors but should be able to improve on that production as he matures. With the organization being so deep at the center position Turcotte has seen time on the left-wing in the Reign’s top-six forward group. With players like Vilardi, Anderson-Dolan, Kupari, and Byfield creating a logjam down the middle of the ice, do not be surprised if Turcotte transitions to the wing. His playmaking ability is elite but will likely only see time in the NHL if the Kings look to sell some of its veteran forwards before the deadline. He is more suited to serve another year at the minor league level before pushing for the Kings roster spot in a few years but when he does he will be a solid source of assists with a lot of goal scorers in the pipeline who can put the puck in the net. Julian Mongillo

December 2020 – The young forward has solidified his spot on the top–line for the United States at the World Junior Tournament. He is playing alongside Trevor Zegras and fellow Kings’ prospect Arthur Kaliyev. He has three assist for the States through their first three round-robin games. Expect Turcotte to remain in North America after the tournament to join the Kings at training camp, where he will likely begin this season in the AHL. Julian Mongillo

 

March 2020 – Turcotte has signed a three-year max entry-level contract with the Kings now that his college season has come to an end. The 19-year-old center put up 26 points in 29 games with the University of Wisconsin in a top-line role. He is expected to practice with the Ontario Reign and join them on an amateur tryout basis however, due to the temporary cancellation of the AHL season he will have to wait to practice and play in any games. He is poised to begin his pro career on a full-time basis either with the Kings or the Reign next season. Julian Mongillo

 

October 2019 – The University of Wisconsin freshman made his NCAA debut and collected an assist in his first game. He followed up that performance next game by nabbing his first and second goals of the season. Badgers head coach Tony Granato has made it known that Turcotte will be the teams top line center and see much of his playing time with Linus Weissbach and former USNTDP teammate Cole Caufield. The two should have a strong connection after playing alongside each other for a few years prior to their move to the NCAA. The offensive ability of Turcotte has never been a concern and neither is his work ethic and compete level at both ends of the rink. The 18-year-old center will need to grow physically and work on his durability in order to get ready for the grind of a long 82 game season, especially after only suiting up for 37 games with the USNTDP last year. Julian Mongillo

 

July 2019 – The newest selection of the Los Angeles Kings, Turcotte is a highly skilled center out of the US National Team Development Program. He was hurt at the beginning of last season but was still able to finish with 62 points in 37 games.  The fifth overall selection is known highly for his tenacious in your face style game and two way versatility. The young 18-year-old has the ability to see the game well from both ends of the ice and prides himself on playing a complete 200 foot game with top end offensive skill. Turcotte has a large tool box at his disposal including a good wrist shot and quick release as well as the poise to be dominant in the face off circle that with time to develop will allow him to be an asset anywhere in the lineup. Turcotte is a fast and mobile skater who always keeps his feet moving. In a new era of NHL where speed and skill highlight the qualities of a good player Turcotte will need to work on developing his edgework, change of pace speed, and explore the creative side of his game. Turcotte will have the opportunity to continue to develop while playing NCAA hockey for the University of Wisconsin next season with fellow USNTDP teammate Cole Caulfield before turning pro. Julian Mongillo

 

June 2019 – Turcotte has been drafted fifth overall by the Kings.  Jokke Nevalainen

 

June 2019 – Turcotte was officially measured at 5-foot-11.25 and 186 pounds at the NHL Draft Combine.  Jokke Nevalainen

 

April 2019 – Turcotte has continued his stellar draft-eligible campaign. He completed the USHL portion of his NTDP season as the league leader in points-per-game (2.14) by recording 12 goals and 34 points in just 16 contests. The bullish, two-way centre has been spectacular offensively despite playing away from uber-prospect, Jack Hughes at even-strength. With the value NHL organizations are placing on pivots, Turcotte likely won’t have to wait long to hear his name called on draft day. Cam Robinson

 

February 2019 – After missing several months to begin his draft-eligible campaign, Turcotte is back healthy and producing at a high rate. Turcotte posted near-historic numbers with the U17 team a season ago before transitioning to the U18 team down the stretch. The Wisconsin commit blends exceptional defensive play with high-end speed and skill. Has played second fiddle to Jack Hughes for years, but is beginning to step out of his shadow. A coaches dream. Cam Robinson

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 8.5
NHL Certainty 9.2
Country USA
Position C
Roster Type Minors
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth February 26, 2001
Height 5‘11”
Weight 186 lbs
Drafted 2019 Round 1; Overall: 5

Stats

 Season Team League GP G A TP PIM      Playoffs GP G A TP PIM 
 2010-2011 Chicago Jr. Blackhawks Brick Invitational6 6 713 6|        
 2013-2014 Orchard Lake United-Red QC Int PW2 1 01 2|        
 2014-2015 Honeybaked 13U AAAHPHL 13U21 13 1932 22|        
 2015-2016 Windy City Storm 14U AAAHPHL 14U18 16 1733 26|        
 2016-2017 Chicago Mission 16U AAAHPHL 16U20 11 2435 8|        
  Team Teal USA-S153 1 45 -|        
 2017-2018 USNTDP JuniorsUSHL31 8 2432 14|        
  U.S. National U17 TeamNTDP39 15 3247 14|        
  U.S. National U18 TeamNTDP19 3 1316 8|        
  USA U17WHC-176 3 36 2|        
  USA U18WJC-187 2 35 2|        
 2018-2019 USNTDP JuniorsUSHL16 12 2234 14|        
  U.S. National U18 TeamNTDP37 27 3562 22|        
  USA U18WJC-187 4 59 4|        
 2019-2020 Univ. of WisconsinNCAA29 9 1726 20|        
  USA U20WJC-205 0 22 6|        
 2020-2021 Ontario ReignAHL32 6 1521 20|        
  USA U20WJC-207 3 58 2|        
 2021-2022 Los Angeles KingsNHL8 0 00 2|        
  Ontario ReignAHL27 6 1218 20|Playoffs3 0 22
 2022-2023 Los Angeles KingsNHL4 0 00 5|        
  Ontario ReignAHL32 6 1117 18|Playoffs2 0 11
 2023-2024 Los Angeles KingsNHL20 1 34 6|        
  Ontario ReignAHL35 10 1929 12|Playoffs8 2 24
 2024-2025 Los Angeles KingsNHL13 1 45 0|        

Highlights