What happens when a worker teaches a worker? Part of the answer may lie in Lehigh Valley.

As a child, Elliot Desnoyers often heard of Ian Laperrière, with whom his father had played in minor hockey.

“My dad used to tell me how hardworking he is. He said that’s how I was always going to get out of it: by working harder than the others, ”he told La Presse on the phone.

Over the years, Desnoyers’ work ethic has become one of his many strengths, including being selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. That year, Ian Laperrière was assistant coach with the Flyers.

As chance has a knack for doing things well, Laperrière became the head coach of the Flyers’ school club, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, in 2021. Barely a year later, last September, Desnoyers joined the team a few weeks after winning gold with Junior Team Canada.

The one his father had told him so much about became his trainer.

From his first moments in the American League, Desnoyers showed what he could do by scoring a goal in each of his first three games. In 55 games, the native of Saint-Hyacinthe posted 21 goals and 18 assists; remarkable professional debut. It would be silly not to make the connection between his style of play and that of the coach who directs him.

“Lappy goes a lot on merit, the way you work.” He remains attached to his values ​​from when he was a player and he gives them to those who give them to him. He let me know that at the beginning of the year. He wasn’t too worried about me. I did my business and he gave it to me fully this year. I think it really helped me. »

It is this same Laperrière who, on February 24, made a phone call to Desnoyers to announce that he was recalled by the Philadelphia Flyers. The young man had just watched the game between the team that drafted him and the Montreal Canadiens, the team of his childhood.

“It was really special. I was watching the game and, right after, Lappy called me. I was about to go to bed and he said, ‘Pack your things, you’re going to Philly, you’re playing New Jersey tomorrow.’ »

Desnoyers didn’t have to be asked twice: he jumped in his car, heading for Philadelphia, an hour and a half away. “I arrived quite late, but I wasn’t able to sleep anyway!” »

On February 25, Elliot Desnoyers played his first National League game in an orange Flyers uniform. Although the team suffered a crushing 7-0 defeat at the hands of the Devils, Desnoyers gave up six hits and directed two shots on goal in nearly 15 minutes of playing time. Head coach John Tortorella, praised him in front of the local media after the match.

“I thought it was excellent [terrific],” he said. Normally, when a youngster is recalled, I don’t really notice it. […] I’ve watched it ; he was involved, he punched, he applied pressure. He wasn’t intimidated by anything or anyone. »

Words that mean a lot, especially coming from a coach known for his candor.

“I’ll tell you that I wasn’t super happy after the game. I saw my parents, but it seems like my competitive instinct… I had [the defeat] a bit on my heart. After that, I watched the video and I think he was happy that I had done that game. I think it was a good start individually,” Desnoyers acknowledged.

The days that followed were not easy for the former Halifax Mooseheads. That same evening, he returned to Lehigh Valley, where he faced the Bridgeport Islanders the next day. The day after, he was again recalled by the Flyers. He played one more game with them before being demoted to the American League yet again. It doesn’t end there; on March 9, the young man was recalled for the third time in 10 days. He played his third and fourth games in the NHL. He has since returned to Lehigh Valley.

“Emotionally, it seems like I’m not used to it yet, being called back and all that. It was a lot of emotions in a week and a half. I was trying to digest it as best I could. I think it went well overall. »

“Their goal is really to give me experience to help me be the best professional I can become. I am very grateful for the chances they have given me so far. »

Now, Desnoyers intends to do everything in his power to play in Philadelphia full time next season. To achieve this, he will no doubt continue to follow his father’s advice: work harder than others.

During his first training camp with the Flyers, Desnoyers inherited the nickname “The Destroyer”. It was an amateur of the team who was the first to name him so on social networks. The appellation, which was no doubt chosen in reference to the sound of his surname in English, has followed him ever since. According to the Larousse, a destroyer is a “medium-tonnage, fast, well-armed warship, notably responsible for an escort mission”. Although the nickname fits his style well, Desnoyers admits that he prefers to be called Desy.