DRAFT: Rodrigue ready to develop with dad in Oilers system

DALLAS, TX - Olivier Rodrigue wasn't born a goalie, but it was pretty darn close.
Edmonton's 62nd overall selection at the 2018 NHL Draft was wearing puck-stopper pads as a one-year-old thanks to his father Sylvain, a former major junior and minor pro netminder who's now the Oilers goaltending consultant.
"I was in street pads playing in the basement with the whole family every day, even the dogs," Rodrigue recalled, moments after the Oilers traded up to call his name and anoint him as the second goalie selected at this year's NHL Draft. "I always wanted to be a goalie."

Rodrigue was the top-ranked North American netminder heading into this year's event, and the Oilers dealt their 71st and 133rd selections to the Montreal Canadiens to acquire the final pick of the second round in the 62nd slot.
"The whole family was surprised," Rodrigue said of the last-minute deal that made him the newest addition to the Oilers prospect pool. "It's unbelievable. My dad's working for Edmonton, so it's pretty special."
"Very honestly, I thought he was going to Montreal," added father Sylvain of the team from the family's home province. "I had no clue… It's awesome, it's a great feeling."
The 17-year-old, who will turn 18 on July 6, completed his second QMJHL season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in 2017-18, posting a 31-16-1 record with a 2.54 GAA, .903 save percentage and three shutouts in 53 appearances, in addition to 10 more games in the playoffs.
He also had an excellent showing at the IIHF U-18 World Championship this spring, posting three wins for Hockey Canada with a 1.33 GAA and .949 save percentage.

His dad Sylvain played four seasons in the QMJHL before consulting in the same league, doing the same in Germany and Switzerland and eventually joining the Oilers for the 2013-14 campaign.
Naturally, he's provided plenty of mentorship for his son throughout his development, but they'll now begin their professional relationship. Throughout the season, Sylvain spends time with Edmonton's AHL affiliate in Bakersfield and ECHL affiliate in Wichita, in addition to visiting Oilers goalie prospects' respective junior or college teams.
"I know he's going to help me be a better goalie," Olivier said. "I'm happy to work with him."
At 6-foot-1 and 157 pounds, the young netminder doesn't quite have the same physical attributes as Montreal's Carey Price, but that won't stop him from modelling his game after his NHL idol.
"I would like to look like Carey Price," he said. "He's very confident, calm and I think technically he's very good."
Rodrigue will most likely return for his third QMJHL season with the Voltigeurs in 2018-19 as he furthers his development between the pipes.