LA Kings: Alex Turcotte reflects on his mental journey to the NHL

Amid a resurgent season, LA Kings forward Alex Turcotte sat down for an exclusive interview with Hockey Royal to reflect on his difficult path to the NHL.

Selected fifth overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Turcotte has endured a series of injuries that have tested not only his physical toughness, but his mental toughness as well.

From concussions to lower body aches, every setback was a lesson in perseverance. Now that he’s starting to make a name for himself in the NHL, Turcotte talks about how those trials have shaped his mindset and offers insight into the mental toll that comes with being a top draft pick.

“It definitely wasn’t easy for a few years. It was very difficult,” Turcotte shared. “I would be lying to you if I said it didn’t bother me. I see everyone talking about it on social media or whatever.”

The journey was further complicated by his relationships with fellow 2019 draftees and former teammates like Trevor Zegras and Cole Caufield, who were selected after him but quickly rose to fame. “I was really happy for those guys, but I always thought I could play with them,” Turcotte said. “It was definitely hard for me going through that, being injured and struggling.”

However, he has now put these comparisons behind him: “But I would say that last season and this season didn’t matter to me at all. I got over it and somehow grew. And I think it really helped me grow as a person. So I don’t really think about it anymore. I don’t know if that’s why everything kind of fell into place or whatever.”

The support of his teammates was crucial to his mental recovery. “I think everyone did their part. We are all very tense here. People like Akil, Samuel Helenius, Andre Lee, Spenny, Q, people I made up in the minors, I think they definitely understood me more as a person just from being around me. And then like the boys this year: they were great and made you feel welcome. It was a seamless transition. And it’s nice to have people like Akil, Spenny and Q there at the same time.”

Turcotte also thanks his family for their support, even though it was overwhelming at times. “In the difficult times, everyone asked about me,” he says. “It was kind of annoying back then because you kept answering the same question: ‘Are you OK?’ It definitely takes a mental toll. You don’t want everyone to worry about you.” However, he recognizes the value of their concern and says, “But looking back, I’m really grateful for the friends and family I have.”

Aside from the support of his teammates and family, Turcotte recognizes that his recovery and growth have been largely self-directed. “I think ultimately it depends on myself. You know, when you’re in a hole that big, you feel like everything is spiraling and you don’t know if you’ll ever get out of it. You know? And a lot of it was stuff I couldn’t control. That was the hardest part. And that made it really difficult because you can’t do anything but be positive. But I always loved the game and always knew what I wanted to be as an NHL player and I never lost faith in it.”

His ability to hold on to that belief, even in the darkest moments of his young career, played a crucial role in his spiritual resilience. It is this motivation and clear vision of his future as an NHL player that has fueled his recovery and shown that the love of the game can sometimes be as healing a force as any physical therapy or support system.

This season, Turcotte mentioned a newfound confidence that really set him apart on the ice. “I was ready to prove that I belonged this year, and deep down I knew I would at the same time,” he explained. “Just coming in with confidence, that was the biggest thing.” In 26 games with the LA Kings, he proved that with four goals and nine assists and earned a +10 rating.

But it’s his 5-on-5 numbers on the ice that tell the story of his impact: He ranked fourth on the team in expected goals percentage at 60.04% and second in actual goals percentage at 66.67 %, with the Kings outscoring their opponents by 20 points -10 while he’s on the ice, according to Natural Stat Trick.

This newfound confidence not only boosted Turcotte’s performance, but also made it clear that his journey goes beyond physical challenges and includes significant mental growth. Equipped with confidence, passion and resilience, Turcotte is cementing his rightful place in the NHL.

Featured Image Credit: Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images