Canucks sign struggling 5th overall pick Olli Juolevi

The Canucks passed on Matthew Tkachuk AND Charlie McAvoy to select Juolevi. Oof.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 2 years ago
Canucks sign struggling 5th overall pick Olli Juolevi
Zuma Press

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Olli Juolevi to a one year, league minimum contract for $750,000.

Check it out:


The 23 year old Juolevi has struggled to cement himself as a regular, everyday NHL player five years post his draft day. He's played just 23 games (all in 2020-21) and has two goals and three points total. He was selected 5th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft after superstars like Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine and Pierre-Luc Dubois. Ask any Canucks fan and they'll sheepishly tell you how Juolevi was selected ahead of Matthew Tkachuk, Clayton Keller and Charlie McAvoy. Ouch.

"Last season was an important step in Olli's development as an everyday NHL defenceman," said Canucks GM Jim Benning in a prepared statement. "We're glad to have him signed and look forward to his game progressing further next season."