Apologies for not being around these past few days. I do from time to time take care of things in my life that are not blog writing and things have been hectic to say the least.
Even without games being played right now there is still some recent Oilers news to cover, most notably the signing of one of the Oilers top prospects in Raphael Lavoie. Drafted 38th overall in last years draft, Lavoie surprised many by still being available in the second round. The 6'4 198lb winger went 32-41-73 in his draft year with the Halifax Mooseheads then producing another 32 points in 23 playoff games.
This season Lavoie started with the Halifax Mooseheads, going 18-26-44 through 30 games. The Mooseheads were a struggling team however and Lavoie was subsequently traded to the Chicoutimi Sagueneens who currently lead the East Divsion. In the 25 games that Lavoie played there, he produced 20 goals and 18 assists.
In his draft year, Lavoie won the Michael Bossy Trophy for being judged the most professional prospect. Looking at the recent winners, it is hard to not be excited about this player:
2018–19 - Raphaà«l Lavoie 2017–18 - Filip Zadina 2016–17 - Nico Hischier 2015–16 - Pierre-Luc Dubois 2014–15 - Timo Meier 2013–14 - Nikolaj Ehlers 2012–13 - Jonathan Drouin 2011–12 - Mikhail Grigorenko 2010–11 - Sean Couturier
Most of those names are currently playing at an elite level in the NHL.
With the suspension of the NHL Lavoie may officially be done with his junior career as he will absolutely be a staple of the Condors lineup next season. Next season we could see two of Edmonton's best forward propsects in Ryan McLeod and Raphael Lavoie playing side by side.
He shouldn't be seeing any NHL time for at least another full season but the 19 year old is certainly trending in the right direction.