Edmonton-born prospect turning heads at training camp after amateur tryout

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Liam McCormick
September 12, 2024 (6:20 PM)

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The Edmonton Oilers clearly are high on a young defender that they've identified right in their own backyard - Marc Lajoie.

The Oilers have invited the 21 year old defenceman Lajoie to rookie development camp after signing him to an amateur tryout contract at the end of last season. He played just one game with the Bakersfield Condors last year, but if he can impress enough at camp, he could earn himself a professional contract.

Lajoie falls into an archetype of defenceman the Oilers have had success developing into quality prospects lately. He's a 6'6 defender that has the ability to play a two way game, but also use his size to his advantage. He scored 58 points in 68 games last year, but in a recent interview Lajoie explained that he'll need to be more of a defensive defenceman to make the next level.

»I think just being a bigger guy, I had a good offensive season last year, but I don't think that's how my game is going to be if I want to play at the next level. Being a big defensive defenseman that's good in his own zone and makes quick plays up to the forwards - we have a good forward group here - so just getting the puck (to them) as quickly as possible and being sound in my own end.»
- Marc Lajoie

Lajoie is a hometown kid, born in St. Albert, and played the 2023-24 season with the WHL's Edmonton Oil Kings. He's committed to play at the University of Alberta next season, but in a recent interview, didn't dismiss the idea of joining the Condors if he was presented with a contract offer. The Oilers have recently developed towering defencemen Vincent Desharnais and Max Wanner from long shot prospects to NHL players - maybe they can do the same with Lajoie.

Hopefully the Alberta boy is able to impress at training camp and turn that into a professional contract, if that's the direction he'd like to take in life. His 6'6 frame will certainly play at any level in hockey, and if the Oilers can develop him like other towering defenceman in the past, there's an outside shot they could make an NHLer out of him.

Source for Lajoie stats: HockeyDB - Marc Lajoie