Laferriere owes older sister big-time for work ethic

Alex Laferriere went to the L.A. Kings with the 83rd pick. (Michaela Schnetter/Des Moines Buccaneers)

When Alex Laferriere talks about how far he’s come in his burgeoning hockey career, the 18-year-old forward from Chatham, N.J., always makes sure to thank one particular person — his older sister, Sophie.

Without her forcing him to get back on the ice when he was a kid after he wanted to quit his skating lessons, Laferriere wouldn’t be where he is today — third on the Des Moines Buccaneers in scoring in his first full season in the United States Hockey League, with 26 points (9-17-26) in 28 games, as of Jan. 16, and 68th among North American skaters in National Hockey League Central Scouting’s midterm rankings for the 2020 NHL Draft.

“I owe everything to Sophie,” the 5-foot-11, 172-pounder said. “She was one of my best friends growing up, so I did mostly everything with her. I grew up idolizing her and admire everything about her, especially her work ethic.”