Olli Juolevi

Olli Juolevi
Born	(1998-05-05) May 5, 1998 Helsinki, Finland
Occupation	Professional ice hockey defenceman
Known for	Playing for Tappara in the Liiga, drafted 5th overall in 2016 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver Canucks

Olli Juolevi (; born 5 May 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who most recently played for Tappara in the Liiga. He was chosen fifth overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. Juolevi honed his skills within the Jokerit organization before relocating to North America in 2015 to compete in major junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team, the London Knights. After just one season there, he was selected by Vancouver in the NHL Draft.

On the international stage, Juolevi has represented Finland at three World Junior Championships, capturing gold during the 2016 tournament.

Playing career

Juolevi began his junior hockey journey at age 14 with Jokerit's U16 squad in the 2012–13 season, progressing to Jokerit's U20 team competing in the Jr. A SM-liiga the next year. Recording 32 points over 44 games, he earned distinctions as both Rookie of the Year and a member of the First All-Star Team. During the 2015 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft, he was picked 45th overall by the OHL's London Knights, committing soon after and departing Finland's junior ranks.

In his initial OHL campaign (2015–16), Juolevi amassed 42 points across 57 games, placing third among rookie defencemen and thirteenth among all rookies. His efforts were recognized with OHL Third All-Star Team and Second All-Rookie Team honors. In the postseason, he contributed 14 points in 18 contests as London captured the J. Ross Robertson Cup. At the 2016 Memorial Cup, Juolevi added seven assists over four games, earning a spot on the All-Star Team and helping London secure a national championship.

Juolevi's impressive play established him as a premier prospect; NHL Central Scouting ranked him fifth among North American draft-eligible players. Selected as the top defenceman and fifth overall by Vancouver in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, he subsequently signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canucks on 5 August 2016.

For the 2018–19 season, Juolevi was assigned to Vancouver's AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, where he tallied 13 points in 18 games before a knee surgery prematurely ended his campaign. Beginning the 2019–20 season again with Utica, he posted five points in 14 games before another injury caused a brief absence. He finished that season with 25 points over 45 games prior to its suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Juolevi debuted in the NHL during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, appearing in Vancouver’s qualifying round victory against Minnesota. The following season, he earned a roster spot out of training camp and scored his inaugural NHL goal on 25 January 2021.

On 10 October 2021, Juolevi was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Noah Juulsen and Juho Lammikko. After limited playing opportunities and a conditioning assignment with Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, he made his Panthers debut on 10 December 2021 but went scoreless across ten games. Placed on waivers on 5 March 2022, he was claimed by the Detroit Red Wings one day later.

Juolevi signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 27, 2022. During that season, although he did not appear for Anaheim, he played in 38 games for their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls, recording one goal and totaling fourteen points.

Following free agency after his Ducks contract concluded, Juolevi returned to Europe by signing a one-month agreement with SHL club Timrå IK on 5 October 2023. After scoring once in nine contests, he joined Finnish Liiga champions Tappara on 13 November 2023. In sixteen postseason appearances for Tappara, Juolevi added two goals and six points to assist in securing another Finnish championship title.

International competition

Juolevi took part in the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships representing Finland, where the team secured the gold medal on 5 January 2016. His outstanding play earned him a spot on the tournament's All-star lineup.

In the 2017 World Junior Championships, he was appointed captain of Finland's squad. Despite his leadership, Finland ended the tournament in ninth place, narrowly escaping relegation by overcoming Team Latvia.

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		11	1	3	4	0		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Jokerit	Jr. A		44	6	26	32	28		5	1	2	3	2
2015–16	London Knights	OHL		57	9	33	42	16		18	3	11	14	4
2016–17	London Knights	OHL		58	10	32	42	36		14	3	5	8	8
2017–18	TPS	Liiga		38	7	12	19	14		11	2	5	7	0
2018–19	Utica Comets	AHL		18	1	12	13	2		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Utica Comets	AHL		45	2	23	25	24		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		—	—	—	—	—		1	0	0	0	0
2020–21	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		23	2	1	3	0		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Charlotte Checkers	AHL		3	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Florida Panthers	NHL		10	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		8	0	0	0	4		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	San Diego Gulls	AHL		38	1	13	14	22			—	—	—	—
2023–24	Timrå IK	SHL		9	1	0	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2023-24	Tappara	Liiga		40	2	4	6	6		16	2	4	6	8
Liiga totals				78	9	16	25	20		27	4	9	13	8
NHL totals				41	2	1	3	6		1	0	0	0	0

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2014	Finland	IH18	Fifth place		4	0	1	1	4
2016	Finland	WJC	Template:Gold1		7	0	9	9	4	-	2017	Finland	WJC	Ninth place	6	0	2	2	0
2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships	Finland	WJC	Sixth place		5	1	3	4	0
Junior totals					22	1	15	16	8

Awards and honors

Award	Year
International
Gold Medal, IIHF World U20 Championship	2016
Selection to IIHF World U20 Championship All-Star Team	2016