The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Olli Juolevi to a three-year entry level contract, the team announced Friday in a release.
Juolevi was selected by Vancouver with the fifth pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
“Olli is a talented all-around defenceman with high hockey sense who will be a big part of our organization’s future,” said general manager Jim Benning in the release. “He’s had an outstanding year, winning the Memorial Cup and World Junior gold. We look forward to seeing him continue his development and compete at the NHL level during training camp in September.”
Juolevi, 18, finished third among Ontario Hockey League rookie defencemen in scoring in 2015-16, registering 42 points (9-33-42) in 57 games for the London Knights. Skating in his first full season in North America, the 6-2, 182-pound defenceman also earned OHL Second All-Rookie Team and OHL Third All-Star Team honours.
During the 2016 playoffs, Juolevi registered 14 points in 18 games to help the Knights capture the OHL Championship. Named to the tournament All-Star Team, he then added seven points in four games to help the Knights capture their second Memorial Cup.
Prior to joining London, Juolevi appeared in 44 games in 2014-15 with Jokerit’s junior squad in Finland, registering 32 points (6-26-32). He was also named the league’s Best Defenceman, Rookie of the Year and selected to the First All-Star Team.
On the international stage, the Helsinki, Finland, native helped his country capture gold at the 2016 World Junior Championship where he led all defencemen with nine assists (0-9-9) and was named to the tournament All-Star Team.
August 5, 2016
Vancouver Canucks
