LD Olli Juolevi - TPS, Liiga (2016, 5th, VAN)

[wings5]

Signed KHL contract with Jokerit.

Did they draft him in the KHL draft?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Did they draft him in the KHL draft?

No Juolevi is undrafted in KHL.
Jokerit signed him a junior contract into their KHL roster.

Juolevi is Jokerit's own prospect and he's represented Jokerit all the time in his career.
Jokerit's KHL roster is very stacked so probably Juolevi plays next season in Finnish Elite League or CHL

 

[Kshahdoo]

Well, Tarasenko played in the KHL as 16 year old, why this kid can't?

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Well, Tarasenko played in the KHL as 16 year old, why this kid can't?

Jokerit's KHL roster is very stacked.
If Juolevi cares his development and wants to be TOP15 pick next years draft.

It'll be better for him go to play some Finnish Elite League team example IFK Helsinki or Espoo Blues.
Or Canadian junior league example WHL / OHL.

Idon't know exactly what's the Jokerit's plan for Olli Juolevi's development.
But i think playing to KHL isn't option.

 

[Matt93]

He was just drafted by the London Knights of the OHL in the CHL Import Draft. The same team that Maatta played for

 

[FinPanda]

I could see him coming to NA. But we'll see.

 

[thomast]

I could see him going to CHL too.

 

[Jussi]

I could see him coming to NA. But we'll see.

Unless they find him a team in Finland, I could see him going too. That would mean Jokerit would lose out on any transfer money though (should he continue straight to NHL from CHL).

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

Wouldn't be a bad idea at all. London would be a great team for him.

 

[JJTT]

Unless they find him a team in Finland, I could see him going too. That would mean Jokerit would lose out on any transfer money though (should he continue straight to NHL from CHL).

I think it was reported earlier that NHL teams don't have to pay Jokerit any transfer money anymore since they are now considered KHL club(not part of IIHF agreement), not Finnish club.

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jaakiekko/art-1288669790528.html

 

[Fawkes]

Juolevi might already had some preliminary talks with London prior to the Import Draft. Many "lesser" Finnish prospects were selected before Juolevi, which was surprising, but might be explained with Juolevi's agent telling other teams he already had an agreement with London. It would not prevent other CHL teams from drafting Juolevi, but would make it less tempting. I'm just speculating here, but I've actually been expecting that Juolevi will go the CHL route since he hasn't signed a pro contract in Finland. Usually prospects of his caliber have pro contracts with Liiga teams at this point of their careers. For example Markus Niemeläinen and Juuso Välimäki (both picked in the Import Draft) have Liiga contracts, and Juolevi is a superior prospect compared to those two. If Juolevi is to report to London, the comparisons with Määttä will be inevitable. Määttä is better defensively but Juolevi has shown more offensive upside than Määttä had at same age.

 

[Jussi]

I think it was reported earlier that NHL teams don't have to pay Jokerit any transfer money anymore since they are now considered KHL club(not part of IIHF agreement), not Finnish club.

http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jaakiekko/art-1288669790528.html

Hmm, I was under the impression that they were still under the Finnish hockey federation and thus eligible for transfers.

 

[JJTT]

http://www.londonknights.com/article/juolevi-and-mattinen-commit-to-knights
http://www.iltasanomat.fi/jaakiekko/art-1437105283608.html

Reporting to the Knights.

 

[wej20]

London has an excellent reputation plus had Maatta recently so it makes a ton of sense.

 

[FinPanda]

Excellent decision.

 

[waitin425]

Where does this kid project in the NHL draft?

God if he is a first round projection, the Knights are gonna be awesome next year....

Marner
Jones
Tkachuk
Mete
Olli

a 4th overall and 4 projected first rounders?

 

[hoyster]

Where does this kid project in the NHL draft?

God if he is a first round projection, the Knights are gonna be awesome next year....

Marner
Jones
Tkachuk
Mete
Olli

a 4th overall and 4 projected first rounders?

Definitely has a 1st round potential. I've seen lists with him in top 15.

Will be a good draft for London Knights and Finland too.

 

[JJTT]

Where does this kid project in the NHL draft?

God if he is a first round projection, the Knights are gonna be awesome next year....

Marner
Jones
Tkachuk
Mete
Olli

a 4th overall and 4 projected first rounders?

He has been ranked between 8-14 in the early listings.

 

[Finnpin]

Excellent decision.

I agree, no room in Jokerit KHL squad and no need to play Mestis.

 

[BusQuets]

Where does this kid project in the NHL draft?

God if he is a first round projection, the Knights are gonna be awesome next year....

Marner
Jones
Tkachuk
Mete
Olli

a 4th overall and 4 projected first rounders?

Better at his age than Ristolainen(8th), Honka(12th), Maatta(22nd) for example. So he should be pretty high if he continues to improve.

 

[thomast]

He is most talented finnish D in long time IMO. Was best defenseman and had most icetime for a player in U20 ASM being just 16 year old. It's always differend to make transition to other country and small rink. If he manages to do it well we could see him cracking into top 10 maybe even 2nd highest D drafted after Chychrun. Exciting to see another finnish player to go excellent program in London.

 

[waitin425]

thanks for the responses! London will be stacked! Cant wait to watch that team next year and perhaps 2016/17

 

[DonskoiDonscored]

London is going to be stacked. Now we just wait to hear if Werenski will make the jump.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Good choice for Olli.
Is London Knights GM Basil McRae a former NHL player.?

I remembering seen him visiting role in Mighty Ducks1 hockey movie in 90's.
Or do i remembering wrong?

 

[agent082]

Might be 5th best D prospect from Finland ever (behind Ruotsalainen, Jutila, Berg and Pitkanen)