AlwaysACanuckFan Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Check this out at : http://Canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=888591 A word from Dale Hunter regarding Olli Juolevi.... Dale Hunter knows a thing or two about blue-chip prospects. The London Knights owner and head coach has seen 50 of his players, including 16 in the first round, selected at the NHL Draft since he stepped behind the bench in the 2001-02 season. Players like Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, John Tavares and Bo Horvat all walked to the podium as members of the Knights. Hunter knows NHL talent when he sees it. One of his latest blue-chip prospects to become a member of an NHL organization is Olli Juolevi. The Knights defenceman was selected by the Vancouver Canucks with the fifth overall pick at the 2016 NHL Draft. “He is a puck moving defenceman and that is what everybody is looking for,” said Hunter. “He has a good transition game and breaks out of his own zone cleanly. He is a great passer and there is no fear to his game. He is one of those defenceman that forwards love to have back there passing them the puck.” Selected by the Knights with the 45th overall pick at the 2015 CHL Import Draft, Juolevi was perhaps not on the radars of many a year ago. But after an adjustment to the smaller ice surface, he quickly rose up the draft boards of many teams. He had to get used to the smaller ice surface,” said Hunter. “He had to learn to move a lot quicker. On the big ice you have lots of room. From Christmas on he just kept getting better and better.” Practicing every day against one of the best lines in all of junior hockey featuring Christian Dvorak, Mitch Marner and Matthew Tkachuk didn’t hurt either. That line combined for 344 points during the regular season, while playing less than 60 games. Not to mention the 50 goals they scored in 18 playoff games. “In junior we practice a lot of one-on-ones and two-on-ones and when you go against guys like that all the time, it will elevate your game,” said Hunter, the only player in NHL history to record 1,000 career points and 3,000 career penalty minutes. “You could see him get better and better every week.” But perhaps it wasn’t his play with the Knights that sold the Canucks brass on selecting him with the fifth overall pick. It came with Team Finland at the World Juniors, where Juolevi set a record for points by an underage defenceman with nine, while also capturing the gold medal. Since 1999, Juolevi is only the seventh defenceman to play in the World Juniors during his 17-year-old season and then go on to be a Top 5 pick at the NHL Draft. The others: Jay Bouwmeester, Erik Johnson, Victor Hedman, Adam Larsson, Aaron Ekblad and Noah Hanifin. That’s an impressive list. But none of those were playing on the gold medal winning team. After returning from the World Juniors, his production dipped a bit. Most likely due to fatigue. But in March, he ramped it back up in time for the playoffs, where he tallied 21 points in 22 games to help the Knights win the OHL Championship. He then helped them win the Memorial Cup, netting seven points in four games. Needless to say, he’s a big time player. And it’s not just what he does with the puck in those big-time games. “He’s a winner. He wants to win,” said Hunter. “One thing I like about him is that during the Memorial Cup it was a 1-1 game and he goes out and blocks a big shot. He went down on one knee, had perfect timing and made a heck of a block. That’s what you like and that’s why coaches like these type of players. He moves the puck well and all that, but at the same time he will block a shot and save you a goal.” As for making the Canucks out of camp, Hunter doesn’t like to make predictions on that. If he makes it, he makes it. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t. But one thing he is sure on, the Canucks got a good one in Olli Juolevi. “He is a great team guy,” said Hunter. “The players on the team all love him. Vancouver has a player that will be around for a long time.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsMillerTime Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 London has been good to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Yeah, saw that after it was posted in the Juolevi Talk thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Colt 45s Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Hunter's comments are why we will love this player in the years to come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nucker 67 Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 And the crowd chants: "OLLI! OLLI! OLLI!" Can't wait to see this guy with the Canucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Building Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 I'm a fan of the selection. Look how many goal scoring wingers were available this July versus puck moving defenseman. Based upon who was on the board at #5 I'm happy with the pick, but don't want the city to place to* much pressure on him either. He's going to be good, maybe even great, but it likely won't be for years. Until then, I'm sitting back and enjoying the development show. edit: too - damn beer grammar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmilyM Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Wish he went, "Juolevi? You'lllove'im!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeneedLumme Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 1 hour ago, elvis15 said: Yeah, saw that after it was posted in the Juolevi Talk thread. Lol, nicely done Elvis. A big improvement over the way you often chastise posters who start threads like this. Subtle is good. And Banana, you used your one daily minus on this post? Surely you could find a more egregious post than this on which to use your minus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.DirtyDangles Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 I can never forget what he did to Turgeon. One of the worst cheap shots in hockey history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me_ Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 1 hour ago, Mr.DirtyDangles said: I can never forget what he did to Turgeon. One of the worst cheap shots in hockey history. Yes. Never forgive. Never forget. The Vancouver way. The man did what he did to Turgeon. That, he did. However, if that same man buys a team and develops such players as Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, John Tavares and Bo Horvat and now Juolevi, that person has redeemed himself. Bit it is the Vancouvwr way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 It would be impressive if he ( Juolevi ) could pull off what Ben Hutton did, otherwise I'm prepared to see him a few years down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.DirtyDangles Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 1 hour ago, Me_ said: Yes. Never forgive. Never forget. The Vancouver way. The man did what he did to Turgeon. That, he did. However, if that same man buys a team and develops such players as Rick Nash, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, John Tavares and Bo Horvat and now Juolevi, that person has redeemed himself. Bit it is the Vancouvwr way. Redeemed sure. Great coach/player and will gladly take the talent he has trained. Still wont forget Turgeon flying through the air though. I wonder what Pierre was thinking at that moment ? bah all in the past, we have a team to watch being rebuilt : D All I want for Christmas is to be middle of the pack ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.