Vancouver Canucks: 5 Early Targets for the 2016 NHL Draft

D Olli Juolevi

Ranked #5 by Hockeyprospect.com
Ranked #14 by ISS Hockey
Ranked #10 by Future Considerations
Ranked #10 by McKeen’s Hockey

Olli Juolevi is a 6-foot-2, 183-pound defenceman from Finland, who made the jump over to North America in 2015, after excelling at the Finnish Jr. A level. He can be best described as an all-around defenceman, who is very strong with and without the puck, at both ends of the rink.

From EliteProspects.com:

"A competitive spark-plug, Olli Juolevi is a complete, all-around defenceman that can hem the opposition in their own end or make things difficult for the opposition at home; either way, he puts the pressure on and lays it on thick. A strong and balanced skater, he can rush the puck through the neutral zone with ease or backcheck with haste. Uses his size to his advantage, but knows his physical limits and plays within them. Instead of playing overly physical, he makes his presence felt by exhibiting his high-end playmaking ability and puck possession play. All-in-all, a well-rounded blueliner who thrives under pressure and can be trusted in all situations. (Curtis Joe, EP 2016)"

Prior to joining the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, where he plays with fellow top prospects Matthew Tkachuk and Max Jones, Juolevi went through Jokerit Helsinki’s youth program. There, he played his first games for the under-20 team at the age of 15 and became a full-time member of the squad at 16. That season, 2014-15, Juolevi recorded six goals and 32 points in 44 games and added another goal and two assists in five playoff contests.

So far this season, Juolevi has five goals and 27 points in 35 games. In addition, he won the 2016 World Junior Championship with Team Finland in his hometown Helsinki and was selected for the tournament All-Star Team. Last but not least, he is a member of Team Bobby Orr for this year’s prospects game.

Potential: Top-pairing Defenceman

Draft Range: 5-15

Next: D Mikhail Sergachev