On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that they have re-signed restricted free agent defenceman Olli Juolevi to a one-year contract. The deal is for the NHL minimum of $750,000.00. Juolevi is scheduled to be a restricted free agent again on the expiration of the deal in the summer of 2022. The Canucks announced the deal via their social media accounts.
Vancouver #Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has re-signed defenceman Olli Juolevi to a one-year contract at a value of $750,000.
read more: https://t.co/zMYuv7E2aq pic.twitter.com/Rz5ezHpZVT
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) August 9, 2021
Olli Juolevi Re-Signs With the Vancouver Canucks
The 23-year-old Finnish defenceman played 23 games for the Canucks last season. He scored two goals and one assist for three points. Juolevi also did not take a single penalty in that time. His possession numbers were 43.6 percent Corsi-For with a -7.6 relative Corsi. Juolevi made his NHL debut during the 2020 “covid bubble” Stanley Cup Playoffs in Edmonton. Juolevi made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Vancouver’s series-clinching game during the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers against Minnesota.
The 6’2″, 182-pound defenceman was originally drafted by Vancouver. He was taken in the first round, fifth overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
“Last season was an important step in Olli’s development as an everyday NHL defenceman,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning via a team press release. “We’re glad to have him signed and look forward to his game progressing further next season.”
What this Means
After an up-and-down rookie season, Juolevi gets a one-year “prove-it” deal with the Canucks. He will get every opportunity to make the team in training camp. Juolevi also hopes to earn a spot in the top-six and play on an every game basis this year. Now 23 years old, it is time for the former fifth overall pick to prove that he can make an impact in the NHL. The Canucks are hoping that Juolevi shows improvement at both ends of the ice and helps the team back to the playoffs in 2022.
Main Photo:
LAVAL, QC, CANADA – NOVEMBER 3: Olli Juolevi #48 of the Utica Comets skating up the ice with the puck against the Laval Rocket at Place Bell on November 3, 2018 in Laval, Quebec. (Photo by Stephane Dube /Getty Images)
