It’s been another season of fits and starts for Washington Capitals prospect Hendrix Lapierre, as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) paused for all of January due to the COVID pandemic.
To Lapierre’s credit, he’s dealt with the regular intermittent pauses fairly well. After spending more than 70 days in quarantine last season, and playing just 16 games so far this season, Lapierre has found a way to ramp up his game and in quick fashion. He has four goals and four assists in the first five games back since the latest QMJHL season restart on February 5.
Lapierre would score in the first period of the first game back after the January pause. He also had an assist and was named the second star of the game against Blaineville-Boisbriand on February 5.
🚨: Hendrix Lapierre
🍎: Cole Huckins
🍏: Felix Lafrance#GoTitanGo⚔️ | @trevali https://t.co/KnOF2dWKfN pic.twitter.com/FgRJ7ZHpGI— Titan d’Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) February 5, 2022
Lapierre would score his next goal in Acadie-Bathurst’s next game on February 10 against the Armada.
🚨: Hendrix Lapierre
🍎: @chisholm188 #GoTitanGo⚔️ | @trevali https://t.co/RIEXGEdDNy pic.twitter.com/6XLCUFjMB1— Titan d’Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) February 11, 2022
Lapierre would then make it three goals in the first three games back, notching a tally against Victoriaville on February 11.
🚨: Hendrix Lapierre
🍎: @Nolanforster61
🍏: @miguel86484493 #GoTitanGo⚔️ | @trevali https://t.co/6B3rM6Xxny pic.twitter.com/v4tNcMiuza— Titan d’Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) February 12, 2022
Lapierre’s latest goal came on Thursday night. He also recorded an assist in the game against Victoriaville.
🚨: Hendrix Lapierre
🍎: @miguel86484493
🍏: Felix Lafrance#GoTitanGo⚔️ | @trevali https://t.co/tVkZgrxV7X pic.twitter.com/O6069c6HqC— Titan d’Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) February 18, 2022
For the season, Lapierre has nine goals and 17 assists in just 16 games played (1.625 points/game). He’s fired 62 shots for a 14.5% shooting percentage and is winning 50.9% of his faceoffs.
Lapierre is currently 8th in the team in goals, 6th in assists and second in points per game.
Acadie-Bathurst now sits third in the Maritime Division and seventh overall in the QMJHL. The Titan’s regular season schedule is slated to wrap-up on May 1st.
The story remains the same for Lapierre – he needs games. He’s played in just 104 games since 2018.
By Jon Sorensen
Caps need to get Lappy out of the Q.
You think he needs to be on the Capitals?
He’s had a taste of being on the Caps, but I think maybe the front office wants him to develop more and physically grow more. Bringing him up would mean he gets little ice time, he’s not going to be getting a lot of minutes. Better to have him play and get more minutes, keep working on his game.
Agreed, DC. His next step, what he should be working towards, is Hershey/AHL.
I feel much better these days about the pipeline… even Joe S looks better than expecting… I do think the Caps should draft a G and 2 D every year.
Agree on goaltender in draft. If there is one thing we’ve benefited from this season is the fact we’ve got to see all of the Capitals goaltending stable put through the tests at varying levels (AHL/NHL). As a result we know we are not as deep as we thought we might be last August.
As per defense, I might hold off until draft to make that decision. The rate of development for Tobias Geisser has piqued my interest. He’s a very smart kid, 6’-4” and learning the North American game at a quick pace. Alex Alexeyev could also be a factor this fall, although he would need to step it up in the close to this season.
Another one tonight (Friday) 🔥
It’s time to come home.
Caps must see where they are at,you won’t learn pro hockey playing junior!
Would be nice to see the center position next year be: Kuzy, Lapierre, McMichael and Dowd. we definately need to upgradeour goalie stock. Copley is nice but not a good NHL starter same with Fucals. Would be nice to get Tyler Brennan in the draft. What do you think of Ian Bloomquist or Cameron Whitehead?