Xavier laFlamant -- Junior Review

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From the astro turf, to the polar ice, the career of Xavier laFlamant has been quite unpredictable to this point. laFlamant, a graduate of the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. It was there where laFlamant made his final decision to leave behind his boyhood sport of lacrosse, for his later found in life love of Hockey. After choosing Seattle to simultaneously pursue a hockey career, and lacrosse career, it was soon obvious that Martinique's "Wiz kid of Lax", should take his talents to the ice, where with strong skating, and stick handling, he had proved to be a menace. While there, he was frequently compared to the play style of former Seattle Thunderbirds star Mat Barzal, and often tried modeling moves such as his signature backhanded shot after Barzal's. 

 

Before hockey, there was lacrosse, and while his career was short, it was noteworthy. As a citizen of Martinique, he was first on the small island's World Competitive Lacrosse team when he was 14 years old. He led the team in goals, assists, and points, and led Martinique to a 14th place finish, the island's highest ever ranking. Two years later, he'd produce in a similarly dominant fashion,  and landed Martinique in 3rd place. All during this career though, laFlamant became more and more drawn to this other stick sport, with no net at the end, and more grace and glide which this skater did enjoy... and then he shocked the small island's community and chose hockey.

 

Getting to Seattle, laFlamant expected to be the day 1 top line center, but after quickly learning that the face off was not the same as a lacrosse face off, decided to move to the natural right handed skater side of the wing, the right one. He immediately found that his ability to juggle the puck down the ice at extreme speeds was not as uncommon in Junior's play as it was in Martinique. While playing as a Thunderbird, laFlamant frequently skipped practices, showed up late to the training facility, and still found his way into the coaches', teammate's and fan's good graces. His arrogant style of play was seen as overconfident at first, but later it was just the skill of the player perfecting his art. He is by now means a finished product, putting all of his focuses into skating and stick handling, but he eventually plans to work out his passing ability to set up his teammates, as well as perhaps a defensive side which he can use to pick pocket the opposing team's player, and slide by the goalie for one of his overhand lacrosse style goals.