Canucks sign defenceman Olli Juolevi to three-year entry level contract

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have signed defenceman Olli Juolevi to a three-year entry level contract.

The Canucks selected Juolevi fifth overall in the 2016 draft, making him one of three Finns to go in the top five.

The 18-year-old finished third among Ontario Hockey League rookie defencemen in scoring in 2015-16, registering 42 points (nine goals, 33 assists) in 57 games for the London Knights.

The six-foot-two, 182-pound Helsinki native registered 14 points in 18 games to help the Knights win the OHL Championship. He then added seven points in four games to help the Knights capture their second Memorial Cup.

Prior to joining London, Juolevi appeared in 44 games in 2014-15 with Jokerit’s junior squad in Finland, registering six goals and 26 assists. He was named the league’s best defenceman, rookie of the year and selected to the first all-star team.

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On the international stage, Juolevi helped his country capture gold at the 2016 world junior championship where he led all defencemen with nine assists and was named to the tournament all-star team.

“Olli is a talented all-around defenceman with high hockey sense who will be a big part of our organization’s future, Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a release. “He’s had an outstanding year, winning the Memorial Cup and World Junior gold. We look forward to seeing him continue his development and compete at the NHL level during training camp in September.”

The Canadian Press