Canucks select defenceman Olli Juolevi with fifth overall pick at NHL draft

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Vancouver Canucks selected Finnish defenceman Olli Juolevi with the fifth overall pick at the NHL draft on Friday.

Juolevi, the third Finn to be picked in the top-5, played for the juggernaut Memorial Cup winning London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

The 18-year-old also helped Finland to gold at the world juniors, leading all defenders with nine assists.

He likens his style to Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and is described by NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr as a graceful skater and puck-mover “with excellent poise and composure.”

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Juolevi had nine goals and 33 assists in 57 regular-season games for London in 2015-16.

Vancouver is looking to continue its rebuild after a frustrating season last year. The Canucks finished five points ahead of last place Edmonton in the Western Conference standings.