For the first time in years, Olli Juolevi is reported to be 100% healthy. What does that mean for the Vancouver Canucks and their 2016 first-round selection?
Just like the rest of the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks are playing the waiting game. No hockey has been seen in over three and a half months, but the NHL is still keen on a return to play for sometime later this summer.
The Canucks however, did receive some very encouraging news this week. According to Rick Dhaliwal of TSN, Olli Juolevi is reported by his agent Markus Lehto to be 100% healthy and ready for the opening of Canucks camp.
"“Olli looks good on the ice, he has been training hard, 4-5 times a week with a strength and conditioning coach, he has matured on and off the ice.”"
Having 100% of his health is huge for Juolevi and the Canucks, and is something that hasn’t happened since he was drafted fifth overall in 2016. His very promising career took a very dark turn four years ago and the Canucks’ top prospect spiraled out of control with major injuries never being able to showcase his real skills.
Juolevi should get the true shake he deserves now. Listed as one of the team’s Black Aces for the Comets, Juolevi is expected to make a return to North America sometime within the next week to be here for the start of camp.
He will get some time around the Canucks’ main roster and coaching staff, but don’t get your hopes up too high on seeing him in game-action for Vancouver. Although this is fantastic news for everyone, Juolevi is still a guy coming off three serious injuries. He’s suffered terrible setbacks from injuring all three areas including his back, knee, and hips.
A return to form is difficult enough for a hockey player had he suffered a single major injury, but three? That’s a tall order if you’re expecting him to be the player he was drafted to become. He’s only 22, and he’s finally healthy. It’s time to see what he’s made of.
The next year is going to make or break Juolevi being a Vancouver Canuck. He’s likely not going to be the next Alex Edler at this point, but just be happy he is ready to show Van-City what 100% Juolevi really looks like.