Roby Jarventie's NHL journey has been a rollercoaster, marked by promise, setbacks, and now, a fresh start with the Edmonton Oilers. After knee injuries sidelined him for over two years, Jarventie is gearing up for his return to the NHL spotlight.
Back in November 2023, Jarventie seemed poised for a long stint with the Ottawa Senators. During that month, the Senators' 2020 second-round pick showcased his skills in seven games, including the Global Series in Sweden. However, a return to Belleville on November 26 marked the beginning of his injury woes, and he hasn't seen NHL ice since-until now.
Fast forward 29 months, and Jarventie is set to make his comeback on Saturday night. With Leon Draisaitl injured, the Oilers have called up Jarventie to join the fourth line alongside Adam Henrique and Josh Samanski.
"Yeah, I always knew if I stayed healthy, I'd have a chance to get back to the NHL," Jarventie shared with the media. "So, yeah, just really happy to be here, just enjoying every day."
Drafted 33rd overall in 2020 by Pierre Dorion, Jarventie had a promising start. However, after a brief stint in Ottawa, Dorion was let go, and Jarventie underwent knee surgery to fix a lingering issue.
Reflecting on his time with Ottawa, Jarventie recalled, "My NHL debut came pretty early in the year 2023, my first call-up. I remember I had a pretty good camp.
I almost made the team out of camp and was probably the last one to get sent down. And then, yeah, pretty early, I got my call-up, so a couple of injuries, but, yeah..."
His transition to the Oilers wasn't smooth either. During his first training camp with Edmonton in 2024, another knee problem limited him to just two games with AHL Bakersfield.
This season, Jarventie has been under strict load management, treated almost like a starting goalie to preserve his health. The approach paid off, as he tallied a career-high 36 points in 52 AHL games before being called up to Edmonton.
While the Senators have yet to see significant returns from the trade involving Jarventie, his draft selection still sparks debate. Chosen 33rd overall, he was picked just before John Peterka, who has since thrived with 192 points in 308 NHL games.
As Jarventie prepares for his eighth NHL game, now with the Oilers, his story is a testament to resilience and the unpredictable nature of a professional hockey career. Fans will be watching closely to see if this marks the beginning of a new chapter in his journey.