September 23, 2024 by Eric Friesen

Raphael Lavoie has been one of the top prospects in the Edmonton Oilers system since he was selected 38th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Now, about to turn 24 this week, Lavoie appears ready to finally graduate from being a prospect to a full-time NHL player.

Lavoie scored a power-play goal and was plus-one in a 3-2 overtime victory for the Oilers in a pre-season contest against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. The Chambly, Quebec native was an offensive player throughout his major junior career, but has evolved into a solid two-way player as a pro.

“I feel like I’m more of a complete player,” Lavoie told Oilers TV following the win on Sunday. “When I got drafted I was pretty offensive. You learn in the American league to round out your game, play without the puck, be reliable out there, and that’s been a point of emphasis since I’ve been in the American league.”

The former second-round pick had a taste of NHL action last season, going pointless in seven games. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound winger will get a real chance to make the Oilers’ opening-night lineup thanks to his combination of size, physicality and scoring ability. Still, he isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I feel it’s an earn-it factor,” said Lavoie. “Even if you’ve played some games [in the NHL], you have to earn it every time you come back to camp, so it’s pretty much the same mindset. You just want it even more.”

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The 23-year-old scored a career-high 28 goals with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors last season, including 14 on the power-play. Lavoie possesses an NHL-calibre wrist shot and one-timer that can often allow him to beat goalies from range. However, Lavoie knows he won’t be stealing anyone’s job on the Oilers’ historically-good top power-play unit, so he will need to do more than bury chances on the man-advantage to stick with the big club in 2024-25.

“You try to bring [different things to the table],” said Lavoie. “I was trying to be more physical out there on the forecheck. You finish your hits, you’re more reliable along the wall, you break pucks out, and when you have the chance to contribute offensively, you do it, as well.”

When the Oilers drafted Lavoie five years ago, they likely envisioned him slotting in on one of the top two lines in the future. Lavoie could still find himself playing alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl down the road, but just cracking arguably the league’s deepest forward group will be enough of a challenge for Lavoie this fall. With seven exhibition games remaining, Lavoie understands what Head Coach Kris Knoblauch and his staff want to see from him.

“They want me to be physical, they want me to contribute, they want me to do the little things right” said Lavoie. “They know I can shoot the puck, can shoot it offensively, but you have to do everything else that comes with it.”