Olli Juolevi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born (1998-05-05) 5 May 1998 (age 27)
Helsinki, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Olli Juolevi
Juolevi with the London Knights in 2016
Born (1998-05-05) 5 May 1998 (age 27)
Helsinki, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for TPS
Vancouver Canucks
Florida Panthers
Detroit Red Wings
Timrå IK
Tappara
NHL draft 5th overall, 2016
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 20172024

Olli Juolevi (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈolːi ˈjuo̯leʋi]; born 5 May 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who plays with Tappara in the Liiga. He was selected fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2016 NHL entry draft. Born and raised in Finland, Juolevi developed in the Jokerit program before he moved to North America to play major junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s London Knights in 2015. After one season with London, he was drafted by the Canucks.

Internationally, Juolevi has represented Finland in three World Junior Championships, winning gold at the 2016 tournament.

At age 14, 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, he was named to the league's First All-Star Team and awarded Rookie of the Year.[1] During the off-season, Juolevi was selected 45th overall by the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) at the 2015 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. Juolevi committed to the Knights shortly thereafter, leaving his junior career in Finland.[2]

With 42 points (9 goals and 33 assists) in 57 games, Juolevi ranked third among OHL rookie defencemen and 13th among defencemen overall in 2015–16.[3] He was named to the OHL Third All-Star Team and Second All-Rookie Team.[1] During the 2016 OHL playoffs, he added 14 points (3 goals and 11 assists) in 18 games, ranking second among all defencemen,[4] as the Knights won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL 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.[1]

Having played a key role in London's championship season, Juolevi was highly regarded by scouts. NHL Central Scouting ranked him fifth among draft-eligible players competing in North America, praising his offensive play.[5] During the 2016 NHL entry draft, he was the first defenceman selected, fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks. On 5 August 2016, Juolevi signed his first professional contract in agreeing to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks.[6]

Juolevi was assigned to Vancouver's AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, to start the 2018–19 season.[7] After registering 13 points in 18 games in his first AHL season, Juolevi was sidelined for the remainder of the year due to knee surgery.[8]

Following his injury-shortened season, Juolevi was again sent to Utica to start for the 2019–20 season. After 5 points in 14 games, Juolevi again suffered an injury in November 2019,[9] though he returned three weeks later.[10] Juolevi would play in 45 games with Utica, scoring 25 points, before the 2019–20 AHL season was suspended and later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Juolevi made his NHL debut with the Canucks during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, playing in the fourth and final game of Vancouver's Qualifying Round series against the Minnesota Wild. He played 6:16 in the game, which Vancouver won 5–4 in overtime to eliminate Minnesota and move onto the First Round.[11]

The following season, Juolevi earned a spot on Vancouver's roster out of training camp for the first time in his career.[12] He scored his first career goal on 25 January 2021 in a 7–1 win over the Ottawa Senators.[13]

On 10 October 2021, Juolevi was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Noah Juulsen and Juho Lammikko. He began the 2021–22 season on the Panthers roster, adding depth to the blueline in remaining as a healthy scratch. Yet to feature with the Panthers, he was assigned on a conditioning stint to AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, before returning to the Panthers and making his debut against the Arizona Coyotes on 10 December 2021. He went scoreless over 10 games before on 5 March 2022, Juolevi was placed on waivers by the Panthers. The following day, Juolevi's tenure with the Panthers ended after he was claimed by the Detroit Red Wings.[14][15]

On July 27, 2022, Juolevi signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks.[16] In the 2022–23 season, Juolevi did not feature in a contest with the Ducks, playing exclusively with AHL affiliate the San Diego Gulls and posting 1 goal and 14 points through just 38 regular season appearances.

As a free agent at the conclusion of his contract with the Ducks, Juolevi opted to leave North America and return to Europe in signing a one-month contract with Timrå IK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) on 5 October 2023.[17] In beginning the 2023–24 season in the SHL, Juolevi registered 1 goal through 9 appearances, before concluding his short-term contract with Timrå IK. On 13 November 2023, Juolevi marked his return to the Finnish Liiga, in securing a contract with eventual champions, Tappara.[18] Juolevi's role grew in the post-season, notching 2 goals and 6 points through 16 appearances in contributing to claiming the Finnish title.

International play

Medal record
Representing  Finland
Men's ice hockey
IIHF World U20 Championship
Gold medal – first place2016 Finland

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 Finland's captain for the 2017 World Junior Championships. In the tournament, Finland was unable to match their success from the previous year, placing ninth and defeating Team Latvia to avoid relegation.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2013–14 Jokerit Jr. A 111340
2014–15 Jokerit Jr. A 446263228 51232
2015–16 London Knights OHL 579334216 18311144
2016–17 London Knights OHL 5810324236 143588
2017–18 TPS Liiga 387121914 112570
2018–19 Utica Comets AHL 18112132
2019–20 Utica Comets AHL 452232524
2019–20 Vancouver Canucks NHL 10000
2020–21 Vancouver Canucks NHL 232130
2021–22 Charlotte Checkers AHL 30112
2021–22 Florida Panthers NHL 100002
2021–22 Detroit Red Wings NHL 80004
2022–23 San Diego Gulls AHL 381131422
2023–24 Timrå IK SHL 91010
2023–24 Tappara Liiga 402466 162468
Liiga totals 789162520 2749138
NHL totals 412136 10000

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 Finland IH18 5th 40114
2016 Finland WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 70994
2017 Finland WJC 9th 60220
2018 Finland WJC 6th 51340
Junior totals 22115168

Awards and honors

References

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