Vancouver Canucks’ Olli Joulevi (48) in fron of the goal with Edmonton Oilers’ Patrick Russel (52) during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016. NICK PROCAYLO / PNG
By Jason Botchford September 16, 2016
PENTICTON — Here’s the thing about Olli Juolevi: blink and you’ll miss him.
The Oilers did. Many times.
Greg Chase had Juolevi lined up for a hit early in the Canucks opening period of the 2016 Young Stars tournament on Friday night. He missed.
Later, Jesse Puljujarvi was barrelling over the Canucks’ blue-line, moving just a tad slower than a cigarette boat. He had the puck, until he didn’t. Juolevi, quietly, poked it away while Puljujarvi twisted and crashed to the ice with a thud.
Juolevi played a smart, and smooth game in a 4-1 Vancouver loss. It was as quiet, impressive and promising.
“Those kind of defencemen are better when the game is cleaner. It’s more suited for an NHL game where everyone’s timing is on, it’s not as scramble-y,” said Travis Green, the Canucks Young Stars head coach. “He’s going to be a helluva defenceman.”
Especially after he puts on 15 more pounds. Juolevi got hit once, at the end of the second, when he turned his back. He drew a penalty.
Splendid as he was, however, Juolevi wasn’t enough to lift an overmatched Canucks team. Neither was Vancouver’s star goalie, Thatcher Demko. The goalie had his moments. None better than a third-period glove save on Drake Caggiula.
But Demko had no chance on Edmonton’s first two goals. The first hit something in front of the net, changing direction at the last moment. The second was scored only after a complete defensive meltdown from the Canucks which left Puljujarvi alone at Demko’s backdoor.
As most could have predicted, Puljujarvi was the game’s best player. He scored two. His second was both gorgeous and undefendable.
Vancouver Canucks’ Curtis Valk (43) chases Edmonton Oilers’ Caleb Jones (81) during third period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Troy Stecher (51) in action against the Edmonton Oilers during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi (39) on the move against the Vancouver Canucks during third period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Edmonton Oilers’ Jesse Puljujarvi (39) on the move against the Vancouver Canucks during third period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Troy Stecher (51) against the boards with Edmonton Oilers’ Matt Benning (83) during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Tate Olsen (64) in front of the goal with Edmonton Oilers’ Braden Christoffer (61) during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Guilaume Brisebois (54) against the boards with Edmonton Oilers’ Joey Benik (47) during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Olli Joulevi (48) in fron of the goal with Edmonton Oilers’ Patrick Russel (52) during second period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Jordan Subban (67) has his eye on the puck next to Edmonton Oilers’ Matt Benning (83) during first period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
Vancouver Canucks’ Jordan Subban (67) has his eye on the puck next to Edmonton Oilers’ Matt Benning (83) during first period 2016 NHL Young Stars Classic action at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, BC., September 16, 2016.
The Vancouver Canucks have a fairly deep prospect pool, and those prospects get a chance to prove themselves at prospect camp.
The first sign every year that hockey season is just around the corner is when prospects start to head to prospect camps to try and get an invite to main camp. The Vancouver Canucks are holding their rookie camp in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
The camp started Thursday with a first on-ice session and will conclude on September 19. Interesting for fans is the included Young Stars Classic, a four-day tournament featuring the top prospects from the Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.
The tournament will give the Canucks their first look at Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk and Patrik Laine, all top-five picks in this year’s NHL draft.
More importantly, however, it will give them a first look at their own prospects, including 2016 fifth-overall pick Olli Juolevi, as well as some new signings and invitees.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five players that will be exciting to watch in the future and might even have a chance to crack the Vancouver Canucks this year.
