With the announcement of Olivier Rodrigue’s signing to a one-year, two-way contract with an AAV of $775K via social media on Tuesday afternoon, the Edmonton Oilers completed a small bit of housekeeping.
Olivier Rodrigue, who was selected 62nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2018 NHL Draft, has agreed to a one-year contract extension, strengthening the team’s goaltending corps. Originating from Chicoutimi, Quebec, Rodrigue recently concluded his third professional season, which included his first full season with the Bakersfield Condors. His ultimate goal is to become an NHL backstop.
Oilers fans everywhere will be following Rodrigue’s development on the farm as he starts the next phase of his hockey career, hoping that he’ll keep moving forward in the direction of becoming a goaltender in the National Hockey League. As they continue to look for the next native goaltender, the team’s commitment to developing talent and bolstering their depth is demonstrated by this one-year contract. But Oilers supporters will be hoping that Rodrigue secures a spot with the Condors and improves on his finest AHL performance to date during the 2023–24 campaign.
Rodrigue finished the previous season with a 2.77 goals-against average and a.912 save percentage in 29 games for the Bakersfield Condors. Rodrigue also played 15 ECHL games with the Wichita Thunder before joining the Condors, where he recorded a 3.57 goals against average and a.907 save percentage.
Rogers Place is the venue for the Edmonton Oilers’ return to hockey. The young guns, not Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, are the ones who aspire to wear the copper and blue jersey and skate in front of an NHL game that is sold out.
The Edmonton Oilers’ 2023 Development Camp is being attended by 29 prospects, 12 of whom are non-drafted invitees. Prospects who have been selected or signed by the Oilers, such as Xavier Bourgault (22nd overall, 2021), Beau Akey (56th overall, 2023), and Carter Savoie (100th overall, 2020), make up the remaining 17 players at the camp.
One more of the top prospects at the camp is Matvei Petrov.
The Oilers selected this extremely talented player in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The Russian forward, who was drafted, has performed admirably for the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League. Over the course of two seasons, he played in 128 games for North Bay, scoring 67 goals and 183 points. Petrov also assisted in leading his team to consecutive conference finals appearances; sadly, they were unable to win and advance to the OHL Finals.
As he enters his third development camp with the Oilers, Petrov is starting to show his age among the group of players. Among the 29 prospects at camp, he assisted his team in winning the Billy Moore’s Cup in a 3-on-3 competition today.
Regarding the development camp, Petrov remarked, “For us young guys here, it’s a great experience.” It’s going to be a great camp, and I like coming to see the guys from last year. Every time I come here for the camp, I feel amazing. I’m glad to be here and the guys really appreciate me.
The former sixth-round pick’s output underwent a significant shift in his second season with North Bay. 40 goals were scored by Petrov in his debut campaign in North America. He was 15th in the OHL and second on his team in goals scored.
In the second year, the statistics showed a slight bias. With 66 assists, 16 more than the previous year, Petrov transformed into a facilitator even though he was still a terrific scorer with 27 in 65 games. He still scored 93 points despite the change in his style of play, and he added 22 more in 20 playoff games.
Regarding his playing style, Petrov remarked, “I played a different game.” Before the season began, I had a conversation with Edmonton and we talked about slightly altering my style of play. It was all executed correctly, I believe.
At the development camp today, Petrov showed great performance. He was flying across the ice in drills before the Billy Moore’s Cup even started, and he was scoring most of the time. He was also a gregarious guy on the ice, striking up conversations with everyone and lightening the atmosphere.
Petrov is going to have a huge season next year as he keeps improving. While it’s never a good idea to jump the gun when it comes to a prospect, given how far he’s come in his development since moving to North America, you shouldn’t be shocked by what he does the following season.
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