Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Alex Turcotte!
Alex Turcotte
Birthdate: February 26, 2001
Birthplace: Elk Grove, Illinois
Height: 5’11
Weight: 185 lbs
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Draft: 1st round, 5th overall, 2019 NHL Entry Draft
2022-2023 season
The 2022-2023 season was another injury-plagued season, unfortunately, for Turcotte. He missed the first month of the season after sustaining a concussion in the playoffs against, the newly signed LA King, Andreas Englund. After making his season debut on November 10th, against the San Jose Barracuda, Turcotte didn’t record his first goal until November 27th, seven games later, against the Tucson Roadrunners.
With the Kings dealing with injuries in January, Turcotte was one of a few call-ups for the LA Kings as he played four games with the big club and recorded zero points. The fact Turcotte was playing games was a step in the right direction as he has dealt with a number of injuries in his short professional career. Unfortunately, Turcotte suffered a knee injury on February 15th against the San Jose Barracuda and missed a month. For the season Turcotte recorded 17 points in 32 games for the Ontario Reign.
What a shot by @Turcotte__71 late in the 3rd!#ReignTrain pic.twitter.com/W2iFjU2kdJ
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) November 28, 2022
2023-2024 outlook
This upcoming season will be an important one for Turcotte. For Kings fans it’s been rough watching everyone else drafted after Turcotte in the 2019 draft have some success with the respective clubs while they’re waiting and hoping for Turcotte to have his breakout year. I do expect Turcotte to get some games with the LA Kings this year, but start the season in Ontario with the Reign. While he hasn’t produced like a fifth-overall pick should, playing games will be critical for Turcotte this season.
Back in March I had the privilege to attend a season ticket member event and asked Luc Robitaille about Turcotte, his development, and his future with the organization. The answer I got wasn’t a surprise as the front office still believes in him and they love his competitive edge. I expect Turcotte to start the year in Ontario playing as the number two center as TJ Tynan is a lock for the first line center spot. Will this be the year of the breakout year for the 2019 fifth-overall pick? We’ll have to wait and see, but it looks like Turcotte is ready for this year.
Big season upcoming for Alex Turcotte, and he seems ready.#GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/YqQyhV9IM7
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) August 4, 2023
Main photo credit: Mike Zitek/Ontario Reign