Former NHL draft bust signs tryout contract to save career
PUBLICATION
Liam
September 14, 2023 (10:51)
For NHL players, a professional tryout offer is the final chance to secure a roster spot for the upcoming season. For Olli Juolevi, not only could this be his last chance at earning an NHL deal, but it could be his final chance to prove his merit and continue professional hockey in North America. Juolevi has now signed a professional tryout contract with one of the most barren organizations in hockey, the Arizona Coyotes.
Earlier yesterday, the Coyotes announce Juolevi will join 10 other players as invitees at Coyotes' training camp in the coming weeks.
Some of these were already announced but, #Yotes notably invite Olli Juolevi to training camp
Juolevi was a highly projected defender prospect selected 5th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2016 NHL draft. While selecting Juolevi, the Canucks passed on both
Matthew Tkachuk and
Clayton Keller, who fell to 6th and 7th overall respectively.
Juolevi only appeared in 23 games with the Canucks, scoring just 1 goal and registering 2 assists. Since leaving Vancouver, Juolevi has spent time with the Panthers, Ducks and Red Wings organizations, never carving out a significant role and earning consistent playing time.
If Juolevi is unable to make the Coyotes defence core, one of the worst in the NHL, it will likely become a quiet goodnight to his career in North America.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 14 | 114 ANSWERS Former NHL draft bust signs tryout contract to save career Will Olli Juolevi make the Coyotes? |
Yes, he'll get a contract | 55 | 48.2 % |
No, he's not signing one | 21 | 18.4 % |
He'll get an AHL deal | 38 | 33.3 % |
List of polls |
|
11 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery P.K. Subban Reveals Who's to Blame for the Penguins' Collapse |
|
12 hours ago | By Tom Banks Kyle Dubas Urged to Make Trade with the St. Louis Blues Following New Report |
|
14 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Washington Capitals Make Beautiful Gesture in Honour of Mike Lange Against the Pittsburgh Penguins |
|
15 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Former Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury Smashes Another NHL Record at the Age of 40 |
|
17 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Pittsburgh Penguins Make Last-Minute Roster Moves Involving Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby |
|
17 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Projected Lineup for Tonight's Game Against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals |
|
18 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Penguins Announce Roster Move Ahead of Tonight's Divisional Matchup |
|
20 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Sidney Crosby's Status Revealed for Game vs. Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals |