With their second pick at this past week’s NHL Draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected forward Raphael Lavoie from the Halifax Mooseheads at 38th overall. According to many rankings and mock drafts, Lavoie was expected to get taken somewhere in the first round, but ended up slipping to the Oilers who were eager to select a forward after taking Broberg the night before. In Lavoie, the Oilers acquired a skilled forward with size that projects to be a middle-six player if he can continue to progress and work on his consistency.

Position: Right Wing — Shoots: Right
Born: September 25th, 2000 — City: Chambly, Quebec
Height: 6 feet 4 inches — Weight: 196 lbs [89 kg]
Drafted: 38th overall
Major Junior: Halifax Mooseheads — League: QMJHL

A large and skilled player. Offensively, his release stands out which is very accurate and allows him to be a capable scorer. Furthermore, Lavoie reads the game fairly well and is good at distributing the puck. -Elite Prospects

Powerful forward boasts a deadly release that’s as heavy as it is accurate.  Protects the puck well and forces his way into dangerous areas. Just 10 days shy of being eligible for the 2018 crop. Gets around well for his size, but quicker acceleration is needed. -Cam Robinson, Dobber Prospects

Lavoie has shown consistent offensive improvement over his three years with the Halifax Mooseheads, who seem to continually churn out NHL-caliber forwards. He’s another prospect with NHL size, already standing 6-foot-4, and he’s quite agile and fast considering. One of the highlights of his game is his quick release, but he’s also got the vision to be an effective playmaker. -Hannah Stuart, The Score

A puck-possessing machine with speed, size and excellent awareness in the offensive zone, Lavoie was one of the QMJHL’s top scorers in the playoffs and was critical in leading Halifax to the league finals. He is a versatile forward who can wear many hats from start to finish, and he is capable of taking over a game by himself. Lavoie owns an excellent shot, both for its quick release and also for its velocity, and his penchant for creating his own chances expands the ice for his linemates. By keeping his feet moving while operating with his head on a swivel, Lavoie keeps opponents guessing and rarely do you see him make a telegraphed play that eventually traps him well beyond the location of the puck. He is a controlled and patient stickhandler who looks to incorporate the rest of his teammates into every cycle, and his keen vision and pass accuracy in tight spaces or off the rush allows him to play the role of playmaker with aplomb.

Lavoie is a very good skater with above-average straight line speed and enough agility to weave around or fake opponents out of position. He is extremely strong on his skates and can sustain shoves or checks from multiple angles during a cycle, using his long reach and wide stance to shield the puck. He also is a capable player in his own end and pounces on pucks in a timely manner. Lavoie comes across as a smart player who is willing to make sacrifices for team success, such as taking a beating in front of the net or using his body to absorb punishment in order to keep a play alive. He can play center or wing, although he looks more comfortable on the flank as a primary shooting option. -The Draft Analyst

Post Draft Interview:

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