Shoots Left Height 1.91 m Position Defenseman | Playing career Weight 84 kg | |
NHL team (P)Cur. team Vancouver CanucksLondon Knights (OHL) NHL Draft 5th overall, 2016Vancouver Canucks Parents Anne Juolevi, Timo Juolevi Similar Jesse Puljujärvi, Matthew Tkachuk, Jakob Chychrun, Pierre‑Luc Dubois, Mikhail Sergachev Profiles | ||
Olli Juolevi (born 5 May 1998) is a Finnish junior ice hockey defenceman playing for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Selected 5th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he is a prospect for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
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Playing career
At 14 years old, Juolevi began playing junior hockey in Finland for Jokerit's U16 team in 2012–13. By the following year, he was playing for Jokerit's U20 team in the Jr. A SM-liiga. After scoring 32 points (6 goals and 26 assists) in 44 games, Juolevi was named to the league's First All-Star Team and awarded Rookie of the Year. During the off-season, Juolevi was selected 45th overall by the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League at the 2015 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. Juolevi committed to the Knights shortly thereafter, leaving his junior career in Finland.
With 42 points (9 goals and 33 assists) in 57 games, Juolevi ranked 3rd among OHL rookie defencemen and 13th among defencemen overall in 2015–16. He was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team and Second All-Rookie Team. During the 2016 OHL playoffs, he added 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) in 18 games, ranking second among all defencemen, as the Knights won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as league champions. With the Knights advancing to the 2016 Memorial Cup, Juolevi recorded seven assists in four games and was named to the tournament's All-Star Team, helping London to a national championship.
Having played a key role in London's championship season, he was highly regarded by scouts. NHL Central Scouting ranked him fifth among draft-eligible players competing in North America, praising his offensive play. During the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he was the first defenceman selected at fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks. On 5 August 2016, Juolevi was signed to his first professional contract in agreeing to a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks.
International play
Juolevi played for Finland at the 2016 World Junior Championships, where they won gold on 5 January 2016. In recognition of his play, he was named to the tournament All-star team.
Juolevi was named captain of Team Finland for the 2017 World Junior Championships. However, Team Finland was unable to match their success from the previous year, placing ninth and having to defeat Team Latvia to avoid relegation.