Quinton Byfield will be playing at the World Juniors regardless of NHL season

Speaking with media on Thursday, L.A. Kings prospect Quinton Byfield made it clear he will be playing in the World Juniors for Team Canada, even if it overlaps with the start of the NHL season.

Byfield says that he spoke with Kings general manager and longtime NHL defenceman Rob Blake, and was informed that he will be representing Team Canada at the 2021 tournament regardless of whether or not the NHL season has begun. The 18-year-old forward was taken second-overall at this year's draft by the Kings after an outstanding 32 goals, 82-point campaign with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL.

Though the NHL has not yet set a start date for the 2020-21 season, the league has mentioned they hope to have games beginning as soon as January 1. This would mean that the World Juniors would overlap both training camp as well as roughly the first week of the NHL season. The fact the Kings are allowing him to play in the tournament is great news for both Canadian fans and Byfield himself, as he gives Canada a great shot to win gold for a second straight year. Byfield was on last year's winning team, chipping in with one assist in seven games. Expect him to put up much bigger numbers this time around.

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