Photo credit: Oilers Nation
Oilers forward Roby Jarventie has decided to leave the team and the NHL altogether and take his talents overseas by playing professional hockey in Europe.
Oilers restricted free agent Roby Jarventie signed a three-year deal with Finnish club Tappara, the team said. The Senators drafted Jarventie 33rd overall in 2020.
Edmonton acquired him last summer, trading 2021 first-round pick Xavier Bourgault to Ottawa. Bourgault was unable to get going offensively in the AHL, while Jarventie, promising as he was, battled injuries and never carved out an NHL role.
An injury limited Jarventie’s productivity this season
Jarventie’s 2024-25 season was derailed before it got off the ground. An injury sustained during the offseason kept him away from training camp.
He skated with AHL Bakersfield in late October but didn’t make it two weeks of play when an injury ended his season. He collected two assists in those two games. Despite setbacks, the 22-year-old winger still has upside.
At 6’3″ and 209 lbs, he once accumulated 50 points in 62 AHL games over two seasons at Ottawa’s farm team and also has seven games of NHL experience, all with the Senators, with one assist on his resume.
While he’s overseas, Edmonton can retain Jarventie’s NHL rights through 2030 by issuing a qualifying offer.
He may not be part of the Oilers’ near future, but retaining his rights leaves the door open to bringing him back if he gets back on track in Finland. His contract with Tappara is through 2028.
This will not be the first time in Finland’s top league for Jarventie. He also suited up for 53 Liiga games with Ilves between 2019 and 2021 and recorded 15 goals and 26 points.
He’ll now join his younger brother, Penguins prospect Emil Jarventie, and former NHLers Daniel Brickley and Jyrki Jokipakka on a star-studded Tappara roster.
