Juolevi proving he’s ready for prime time
Talented blue-line prospect displaying his offensive potential with the AHL’s Comets
MIKE RAPTIS
This is the latest edition of the weekly tracker, where we tally up the recent efforts of the Vancouver Canucks’ highest-profile prospects:
OLLI JUOLEVI
The wait just might be worth it.
Juolevi, Vancouver’s often criticized fifth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, has been developing at an unsatisfactory clip for fans eager to see him in Canucks’ colours.
But judging by his performance this past week with the AHL’s Utica Comets, he may find himself in Vancouver sooner than later.
Drafted as a defenceman with all kinds of offensive upside, Juolevi has put his talents on display in his first season of professional hockey in North America. He scored his first goal of the season on Wednesday against the Rochester Americans. The goal was scored on the power play on a one-timer a few feet inside the blue-line.
Juolevi has added a couple of assists since his goal, one in Friday’s 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Monsters and another in Saturday’s 4-3 win at the Syracuse Crunch. The three-game points streak now brings Juolevi’s totals on the season to one goal and four assists in eight games played. All of his points have come on the power play.
He still sits at a minus-six overall, but by all accounts, Juolevi is getting plenty of ice time and is playing in all situations for the Comets, who have four wins and four losses on the season and sit in thirdplace in the eight-team North Division.
The Comets also broke the AHL’s sellout streak with their 121st-straight full house this past week.
QUINN HUGHES
It was just a matter of time for the dynamo on defence to find the scoresheet.
After a slow start to the season, the fleet-footed Hughes has found his groove for the 11th-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines.
Hughes counted his first point of the young NCAA season on Friday in a 6-5 win over 19th-ranked Western Michigan. On Saturday, Hughes scored his first goal of the season and added another assist in a 5-4 loss to the same team. The goal was scored on a wrist shot from the slot on a four-on-four situation.
Hughes now has a goal and two assists in three games this season. He’s a minus-three overall.
JONATHAN DAHLEN
Just what the doctor ordered: a goal to get off the schneid.
Dahlen hasn’t been a letdown this season with the Comets, but so far he hasn’t dazzled. The goal, which came in Friday’s loss to the Monsters, makes Dahlen’s four points in six games that much more credible.
Dahlen, who played in Sweden’s second division last season, appears to be getting more comfortable on North American ice, which should pay dividends down the road.
JETT WOO
Not a big week for the big defenceman in terms of numbers, but Woo is getting recognized nonetheless.
The Canucks’ second-round pick in the 2018 draft was officially selected to represent the WHL in the 2018 CIBC Canada-Russia Series. The series, which features standout players from the WHL, OHL, QMJHL and Russia, starts on Nov. 5.
Woo played in two games for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors this past week, a 5-1 loss to the Calgary Hitmen on Friday and a 3-2 win at the Regina Pats on Saturday. He didn’t register a point, but finished Friday’s encounter a minus-one with four shots on net and was a plus-one with two shots on goal against the Pats.
Woo now has a goal and an assist in eight games this season. He’s a plus-two with eight penalty minutes.
TYLER MADDEN
The slight centre certainly has big shoes to fill playing at Adam Gaudette’s alma mater, but Madden has started the NCAA season in style.
The 12th-ranked Northeastern Huskies’ standout scored a power-play goal on Friday against the 20th-ranked Union Dutchmen. The goal was a deflection in the slot from a point shot.
Madden didn’t score a point in Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the same team, but now has three goals and an assist in four games.
WILL LOCKWOOD
Hughes’ teammate at Michigan also continues to find the net for the Wolverines.
Lockwood was rewarded Friday with a goal after crashing the net and converting a nice pass on a power play.
Lockwood now has two goals in three games this season.
MIKE DIPIETRO
The Canucks’ goalie of the distant future continues to stand tall for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and has been rewarded for his efforts.
DiPietro was selected as one of two goalies to represent the OHL in the upcoming Canada-Russia series.
DiPietro had a solid week for his team, leading the Spitfires to a 4-3 win over the Barrie Colts on Thursday, while stopping 27 of 30 shots. And on Sunday, DiPietro stopped 22 of 24 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Erie Otters.
DiPietro, who led the league in shutouts last season, also reached a big milestone last week, tying the record for most shutouts in an OHL career.
He’s going to bring a lot of character when he makes it to the big leagues.