Nicolas Deslauriers (born February 22, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. His play has been described as a mix between an enforcer and a grinder. Deslauriers was born in LaSalle, Quebec, but grew up in Saint-Anicet, Quebec. Early life Deslauriers was born on February 22, 1991, in LaSalle, Quebec, to parents Penny and Stephane. His parents co-own a moving company in Quebec. Growing up, Deslauriers played both baseball and hockey but, after qualifying for the midget Triple-A team Châteauguay Patriotes, he dropped baseball and focused solely on hockey. As a child, his favourite player was Boston Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr because he was a defenceman. Playing career Amateur Deslauriers played major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and the Gatineau Olympiques. At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he was drafted in the third round, 84th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. Following the draft, Deslauriers was tied for 12th amongst league defensemen with 45 points through 65 regular-season games. He was traded to the Gatineau Olympiques prior to the 2010–11 QMJHL season in exchange for a second and third round draft pick. During the 2011 QMJHL playoffs, Deslauriers led all QMJHL defensemen in post-season scoring with 20 points. Professional Los Angeles Kings On May 31, 2011, Los Angeles signed Deslauriers to a three-year, entry-level contract. Deslauriers was subsequently reassigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) with the Manchester Monarchs. He made his professional debut with the team during the 2011–12 season and finished with 14 points through 65 games. Deslauriers began the following season with the Monarchs before being recalled to the NHL level on May 9, 2013. He played a few games with the Manchester Monarchs as a forward but was expected to return to his natural defensive position the following season. However, during the 2013 offseason, Jack Ferreira, special assistant to Kings GM, suggested that Deslauriers become a full time left wing. As such, he was asked to play the new position during training camp and recorded four goals during the pre-season. Buffalo Sabres On March 5, 2014, Deslauriers was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, along with Hudson Fasching, in exchange for defenceman Brayden McNabb,