Raphael Lavoie has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
The #Oilers have signed forward & 2019 38th-overall selection Raphael Lavoie to an entry-level contract! pic.twitter.com/5Ee1IJbCAS
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 21, 2020
Oilers sign Raphael Lavoie
Lavoie was drafted 38th overall in the 2019 draft by the Oilers. He is a tremendously skilled player and projects as a power forward in the NHL. Lavoie is a fast skater and has an excellent shot, regardless if it is wrist-shot, snap shot or slap shot. He is also a solid playmaker as well, making him a threat as a shooter and passer. At 6′-4″ and 198 pounds, he does a great job of protecting the puck. He competes well on defence but it is an area where he has drawn criticism in the past.
Lavoie has had a successful junior career. He played his first three-and-a-half-seasons with the Halifax Mooseheads. His best season as a Moosehead was last year. In the regular season he scored 32 goals and 73 points. But in the playoffs he stepped up and scored 20 goals in 23 playoff games. Unfortunately for Lavoie and the Mooseheads, they lost to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Presidents Cup and Memorial Cup Final.
This season he has scored 38 goals and 82 points split between the Mooseheads and the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. He also won the World Junior Gold Medal. He wasn’t a big factor in the tournament, scoring two assists in seven games.
Here is a long highlight pack to get a sense who Lavoie is as a player.
What it Means for the Future
Lavoie was born on Sept. 25, 2000. Even though was drafted into the NHL last year, he has been playing junior hockey for four years because of his late birthday. This makes him eligible to make the jump to the AHL next year with the Bakersfield Condors. If he succeeds in Bakersfield, then he is in a good position to succeed in the NHL. He will more than likely play with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Lavoie’s speed, shot and size should make him fit well with either of those centres. If he develops correctly, he should be a full-time NHLer in two to three years.
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