Slow start to summer has Juolevi playing catch-up
Alex Edler has some sage advice for Olli Juolevi.
The Vancouver Canucks’ veteran defenceman knows the heavily scrutinized Finn, a 2016 first-round draft pick who had microdiscectomy back surgery in mid-June and has played one NHL pre-season game this month, can’t keep talking a good game. He has to play one.
While opening-night roster odds are long for Juolevi, especially with eight proven defencemen under contract, he can move the development meter by making the most of one or two more games before the Canucks open their regular season Oct. 3.
“You have to make sure you do what you’re good at,” Edler said Sunday. “Don’t hide out there. Don’t show too much respect on the ice, but off the ice, be respectful. Maybe there are some similarities to when I came in the league (2006-07). He (Juolevi) is very calm and sometimes you want to see him show more emotion. But I never did that either. Just because you don’t show it on the outside, it doesn’t mean you don’t have it on
the inside to show that you want to be here.”
That’s easier said than done. Juolevi didn’t start rigorous off-season training until midAugust. Playing, resting, training and recovery are part of the rehab process to ensure that while he gains strength, the 20-year-old blue-liner doesn’t push too hard and has recurring discomfort. It’s tougher when you’re trying to make the team.
“There are still some limitations at the gym, but there are still a lot of things you can do,” Juolevi said. “Sometimes, it’s good to take a break and mentally relax. I’ve learned a lot with this injury. You have to be patient. You can’t hurry it too much, because it’s going to backfire on you. But I’m feeling great right now.
“I’m happy with the way camp has gone and everything with my back has been positive. I have a good confidence in myself with the way I’m playing.”
During the 2010-11 season, Edler was labouring through back stiffness and an open-ice hit by Jamie Benn of the Dallas Stars on Jan. 24 was thought to be the shot that caused a herniated disc that required a microdiscectomy. Edler missed 10 weeks.
“The recovery and rehab was long and hard and you never know if it (back) goes back to 100 per cent,” Edler said. “I felt fine that year, but it was a matter of staying on top of it and whenever it felt sore, to get on it right away. My injury came back in the lockout year and I didn’t do surgery. That time I just rehabbed.”
What’s really at play here is that the development curve is different for each player.
Juolevi had former Canucks defenceman Sami Salo as his assistant coach with TPS Turku of SM-liiga last season. In his first professional environment, Juolevi started slow, had a better second half and was the club’s best blueliner in the post-season.
The numbers for a raw rookie were encouraging — 19 points (712) in 38 regular-season games and seven points (2-5) in 11 postseason tests — and the off-season focus was on building an NHL frame and game before a training incident led to the surgery.
“We’re obviously checking it (back) every day and see how it goes, but there haven’t been any problems,” said Juolevi, who played 16:58 Wednesday during a 4-1 loss to Calgary. “There is still time left to impress the coaches. I know I can make plays and get pucks to our forwards, but if you can’t play defence, you have no future in this league.”
The best development for Juolevi will be the eventual arrival of Quinn Hughes. He can be the catalyst to drive the offence and run the power play. Juolevi can concentrate on being solid in every zone.
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” said Canucks coach Travis Green. “He’s going to play one or two more (pre-season) games for sure. He’s healthy, but the time he missed in the off-season didn’t help. We have to make sure we do right by him. He’s going to have to get his body running up to NHL strength.
“He’s a smart player and wants to have a long career and understands the process. He’s going to be a good defenceman, but we’ve got to make sure he’s ready to play when he does play.”