Laval Rocket Veteran Laurent Dauphin Climbs to Top of AHL Scoring Charts
In a remarkable career resurgence, Laval Rocket centre Laurent Dauphin has surged to the summit of the American Hockey League scoring race. The 30-year-old forward, hailing from Repentigny, Quebec, is currently tied for the league lead with an impressive 46 points, including 12 goals, through 38 games this season.
A Late-Career Renaissance and All-Star Recognition
Dauphin's outstanding performance has earned him his first-ever invitation to the AHL All-Star Challenge, scheduled for February 10-11 in Rockford, Illinois. He will be joined by Rocket teammates goaltender Jacob Fowler and defenceman Adam Engstrom, while head coach Pascal Vincent will oversee one of the teams in the 3-on-3 tournament format.
"It's a good start," Dauphin told The Gazette during a telephone interview from Calgary, where the Rocket is midway through a demanding six-game road trip. "It's cool that you can do it for a long time and the body still does what you want. It has been good so far."
Despite his individual success, Dauphin emphasizes that team victories take precedence over personal accolades. "This is a good challenge and it's fun to be a part of it," he said. "But it's not the end of the world if I don't finish at the top. Still, it's a good goal and motivation. For sure, I want to win games more than the scoring title."
Navigating a Professional Journey with Perspective
Dauphin's path to this point has been winding. Originally selected 39th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, he has played 94 NHL games, including 38 with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2021-22 season where he recorded 4 goals and 12 points. With over 600 professional games across the AHL, NHL, and a stint in Switzerland's top league, he brings extensive experience to the Rocket locker room.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Dauphin maintains a balanced outlook. "For sure, it was tough," he admitted, acknowledging that another NHL recall is unlikely. "Sometimes you need to ground yourself and stop thinking about going up. It's always a tough reflection. I go on the side of 600 games. It could have been better, but it could have been worse. I'm pretty happy about it. I'm not uncomfortable finishing my career here."
Leadership and Versatility on Display
Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent highlighted Dauphin's dual value as both an offensive producer and a leader. "We had a conversation about his role and producing on the ice," Vincent explained. "He took that very seriously. With the skills he has, if he can bring that to the room and be a role model, he can extend his time here a couple of years."
Vincent praised Dauphin's hockey intelligence and adaptability, noting his ability to play both centre and wing effectively. "I'm happy to have him. He's low maintenance. I trust him getting ready for games. With his hockey sense, experience and skill level, I'm not surprised he's producing offensively," Vincent added.
Team Context and Division Standings
The Rocket, despite recent challenges including a 6-3 loss to the Calgary Wranglers where they trailed 3-0 after the first period, continues to hold first place in the AHL's North Division. With a record of 24-14-4, Laval maintains a three-point lead over both the Syracuse Crunch and Toronto Marlies.
Dauphin currently shares the AHL scoring lead with Belleville Senators forward Arthur Kaliyev, a 24-year-old former Los Angeles Kings draft pick. As the Rocket prepares to conclude their road trip with games in Syracuse and Toronto this weekend, Dauphin's leadership and scoring prowess will be crucial to maintaining their divisional advantage.
His story serves as an inspiring example of professional perseverance, demonstrating how dedication and hard work can lead to career-best performances even as athletes enter what many consider the latter stages of their playing days.
