Like we’ve done in the past, we’re profiling top prospects who may hear their names called in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
But this year, something new — we’re featuring special guest analysis from Ryan Kennedy, associate senior writer and prospect expert at The Hockey News.
Olli Juolevi (D)
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 182 pounds Shoots: Left
Team: London Knights (OHL)
Country: Finland
NHL Central Scouting ranking: No. 5 North American skater
Kennedy says: “It’s tough to say who the first defenseman to go in the draft will be, but Juolevi is a great candidate (Jakob Chychrun and Mikhail Sergachev are options, too).
“Intelligent, smooth with the puck and blessed with pretty good size, Juolevi models his game after Hampus Lindholm and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Juolevi was an all-star at the world juniors, where he helped the Finns win gold at Hartwall Arena, his dream rink as a kid in Helsinki.
“He also paced the London defense corps to an OHL championship and the Memorial Cup title. Not bad for a kid who was only playing his first season in North America.”
Related: Benning doesn’t know if there’s a true No. 1 defenseman at this year’s draft
Click here for all the 2016 NHL Draft profiles.