Raphaël Lavoie had to be very patient, but he was eventually recalled by the Edmonton Oilers and was soon able to make his debut in the National Hockey League (NHL).
The Quebec center played a little less than three seasons in the American League with the Bakersfield Condors and emerged as one of the team’s most exciting talents last year.
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Many observers saw the 23-year-old hockey player start the NHL season, but he reported back to the Condors. Lavoie patiently waited for his chance and collected seven points in five games, including four goals.
Forward Connor Brown was injured in Thursday’s game against the Dallas Stars and the Oilers sent defenseman Philip Broberg to the American League to clear a roster spot. The duration of Brown’s absence has not yet been determined.
Lavoie was Bakersfield’s second-leading scorer in the 2022-23 season with 45 points in 61 games. The Chambly native was the Oilers’ second-round pick (38th overall) in the 2019 draft.
Edmonton plays its next game against the Nashville Predators on Saturday afternoon.