Even with the NHL on pause during the coronavirus pandemic, teams are still planning ahead.
The Edmonton Oilers haven't been playing games, but that doesn't mean they aren't making moves. The team announced Saturday that it has signed 2019 draft pick Raphael Lavoie to an entry-level deal, getting another promising prospect into the fold.
Lavoie, taken 38th overall by the Oilers, is coming off a split season in the QMJHL. The Chambly, Que., native racked up 82 points (38 goals) in 55 games split between the Halifax Mooseheads and Chicoutimi Sagueneens before the three leagues that make up the CHL canceled the remainder of their regular season earlier this week.
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Raph putting pen to paper. 🖊 #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/VniQ3HJvF4
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 21, 2020
The speedy 19-year-old forward has scored at least 30 goals in each of the last three seasons in the QMJHL. He also won gold with Canada at the 2020 World Juniors, registering a pair of assists in seven games for the Red and White.