Russell Morgan 
3. Alex Turcotte – 20 y/o – F – 2019 Round 1 #5 overall
Previous ranking: 4
When watching Alex Turcotte play hockey, there is one thing you notice. His compete level might trump all LA Kings prospects. He leaves it all on the ice every shift.
Whether battling in corners, chasing loose pucks with authority, or using his 5’11” frame to establish a net-front presence, Turcotte’s energetic play can quickly turn him into a LA Kings fan favorite.
But the fans are asking when will that happen?
Turcotte finished his first pro year in the AHL with the Ontario Reign splendidly. In three games during the week ending May 9th, he finished with three goals and three assists. With the goals coming off a hat-trick performance against Colorado. That showing would be good enough to earn himself CCM/AHL Player of the Week honors.
Tony Ferrari The Hockey News
“The forgotten prospect in the Kings absolutely loaded system, Turcotte may ultimately end up being the piece that puts this group over the edge. An intelligent and complete center who can play in all situations, Turcotte has dealt with injuries, but with the ailments seemingly behind him, he should be able to build off a solid first pro-season after posting six goals and 21 points in 35 games with the Reign last season. His scoring ability rarely gets spoken of, and his ability to play off his teammates is going to allow him to play with just about anyone. With Byfield and Turcotte down the middle for years to come with a mentor such as Anze Kopitar, the Kings center depth is enviable across the league.”
HockeyProspecting.com Comparisons
After unfortunately missing most of Dev Camp due to an emergency appendectomy, Turcotte showed up to the Rookie Faceoff healthy and ready to play. His constant pressure was evident. Creating multiple chances and playing sound defensively. And Coach Wroblewski tool notice.
“I’ll just say this about Turcotte’s overall game, and I thought he displayed it tonight. He showed his game as well as anyone did out there. And you’re right when you say feistiness, and tenacious, and then that skill on top of it, you’ve got you got him.”
All in all, it was a great weekend in the desert for Turcotte. And he was out to prove he was NHL ready with the club practices starting soon after.
With training camp and the preseason come and gone. Turcotte found himself out of the running for a spot on the LA Kings’ bottom six. And with some of his draft peers earning a place, he might find himself the last player drafted in the top ten of the 2019 draft to play in the NHL.
Amidst all the excellent traits surrounding his game, it’s hard to fathom why he shouldn’t be ready for NHL action soon.