91原创鈥檚 Alex Cotton finally got back on the ice this week, taking part in a socially-distant skate with a few other WHL players.

During his enforced layoff due to a COVID-19 inspired shutdown, Cotton, a 2001-born right-handed defenceman who plays on the Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL team, has been using the home gym at his family鈥檚 Milner home to keep in shape.

He鈥檚 also been fielding a lot of calls from NHL teams who have noticed the impressive stats Cotton racked up this season.

Cotton finished the year with the Lethbridge club, leading all WHL defencemen in scoring and concluding the season with 20 goals and 47 assists for a total of 67 points in 63 games.

鈥淎lmost every [NHL] team鈥� has reached out, Cotton estimated.

鈥淢y agent, we talk every day.鈥�

At 6鈥�2鈥� and 183lbs. Cotton has done some growing since he was initially signed by the Hurricanes as a 5鈥�11鈥� 150 lb. defenceman from the Yale Hockey Academy Bantam Prep, selected in the fifth round draft (99th overall) in 2016.

In April, he was named to the WHL Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team.

Cotton is currently ranked 79th on the NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

After he was passed over in his first year of eligibility for the NHL Draft last year, Cotton devoted the time between seasons to an intense schedule of two workouts a day plus one skate.

It led to a great season, with the 18-year-old outperforming every other defencemen.

READ MORE: WHL cancels playoffs

But then, in March, the WHL Board of Governors announced the remaining 54 games on the 2019-20 WHL Regular Season schedule would be cancelled and not played because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need prevent its spread by avoiding large gatherings.

A few days later, the WHL playoffs and championships were also cancelled.

鈥淚t sucks obviously, the way it ended,鈥� Cotton commented.

A self-described optimist, Cotton remains confident of a positive outcome.

鈥淚t know it will work out,鈥� he told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淓verything happens for a reason.鈥�

READ ALSO: 91原创 sports groups suffer widespread shutdowns due to COVID-19

His proud brother Brighton MacDonald is not surprised by the NHL interest, noting Cooton is a rare type of defensive player who is good on offence as well.

鈥淭hose types of defencemen are hard to come by,鈥� MacDonald observed.

鈥淲e all knew he had that offensive talent.鈥�

dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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