Olli Juolevi Named Captain of Team Finland at World Junior Hockey Championship

Photo Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig – USA TODAY Sports

According to a report from Finnish Jr. Hockey, Team Finland has named defenceman Olli Juolevi the captain of their U20 club at the World Junior Hockey Championship. Vili Saarijärvi and Kasper Björkqvist round out the Finnish leadership as alternate captains. 

The Canucks drafted Juolevi fifth overall last June in Buffalo. As a member of Finland’s team last season, Juolevi caught the hockey world by storm as a lead horse from the blue line en route to World Junior Gold. In seven games at last year’s tournament, Juolevi contributed nine points, all assists.

In 26 games with the OHL’s London Knights, Juolevi has 21 points (6 goals and 15 assists) playing primarily on their second pair. Using the Prospect Graduation Probabilities System (pGPS for short), 27% of Juolevi’s age, stock and statistically similar comparable players went on to develop into full-time NHL players. That number is drawn from several weeks ago, but his PPG rate hasn’t changed significantly in that span.

As an 18-year-old with a May birthday, this won’t be Juolevi’s last crack at the World Juniors. He’ll be eligible for the tournament next year too.