World Junior Preview 2017

For the second time in the past three years, and just second time since 2006, a pair of Vancouver Canucks first round picks will be competing at the same World Juniors.

Two years ago, it was Brock Boeser and Jake Virtanen competing for their countries, while this time around it's Olli Joulevi and Elias Pettersson. However, unlike 2016, it won't just be the first-rounders on the radar for Canucks fans, as Jonah Gadjovich and Will Lockwood also made their respective national teams.
With four prospects on four different teams, all of which have a shot to win gold, the 2018 World Juniors is a perfect opportunity for Canucks fans to get a glimpse of the future, which is looking bright.

Jonah Gadjovich, Team Canada

Owen Sound Attack, OHL
Drafted: 2nd round, 55th overall, in 2017
Currently in his fourth season with Owen Sound, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound forward has recorded 26 points (15-11-26) in 21 games this season after registering 74 points (46-28-74) in 60 games in 2016-17. Gadjovich was paired on the third line with Michael McLeod and Drake Batherson in Canada's tune-up games, which could be an indication of where he ends up once the real games begin. Expect Canada to use his big frame as a net-front presence on the power play.
Team Canada Schedule (all times PST):
Tuesday, December 26 (1:00pm): vs. Finland
Wednesday, December 27 (4:00pm): vs. Slovakia
Friday, December 29 (12:00pm): vs. USA
Saturday, December 30 (5:00pm): vs. Denmark

Elias Pettersson, Team Sweden

Växjö Lakers HC, SHL
Drafted: 1st round, 5th overall, in 2017
Pettersson has been truly remarkable in his first season in the Swedish Hockey League. At just 19-years-old, he is tied for the league lead in points with 35 (11-24-35) in just 26 games. This will be his second time at the World Juniors, having tallied one assist in six games at the 2017 event, where Sweden finished fourth. Expect Pettersson to have a much bigger role this time around on a Swedish team that is expected to contend for the gold medal.
Team Sweden Schedule (all times PST):
Tuesday, December 26 (11:00am): vs. Belarus
Thursday, December 28 (1:00pm): vs. Czech Republic
Saturday, December 30 (11:00am): vs. Switzerland
Sunday, December 31 (5:00pm): vs. Russia

Olli Juolevi, Team Finland

TPS, Liiga
Drafted: 1st round, 5th overall, in 2016
This marks the third trip to the World Juniors for Joulevi. After a dominant 2016 event, which saw him win gold and be named to the tournament All-Star Team after leading all blueliners in assists, Joulevi and Finland struggled to follow up that success. With just two assists in six games, Finland went 1-3 in round-robin play and ended up playing Latvia in the relegation round. This year gives Canucks fans their first chance to see Juolevi in action since he turned pro. In 20 games with TPS, he has notched 14 points (5-9-14). Expect Finland to be much improved over last year, and with five NHL first round picks on the blueline, Juolevi won't be counted on to do everything, allowing him to concentrate on the things he does well.
Team Finland Schedule (all times PST):
Tuesday, December 26 (1:00pm): vs. Canada
Thursday, December 28 (9:00am): vs. Denmark
Saturday, December 30 (1:00pm): vs. Slovakia
Sunday, December 31 (1:00pm): vs. USA

Will Lockwood, Team USA

University of Michigan, NCAA
3rd round, 64th overall, in 2016
There was some uncertainty regarding Lockwood's status for the tournament after suffering an upper-body injury during pre-tournament play, but he should be good to go after being named to the final roster on Saturday. Having Lockwood at the World Juniors may come as a bit of a surprise for some, but it shouldn't. He has a history of being able to carve out a role on big teams, whether that be offensive or defensive. He did it with the Under-17 and Under-18 national teams, as well as with an always-stacked USNTDP program. If healthy, expect Lockwood to be used in a variety of situations with Team USA, depending on matchup.
Team USA Schedule (all times PST):
Tuesday, December 26 (5:00pm): vs. Denmark
Thursday, December 28 (5:00pm): vs. Slovakia
Friday, December 29 (11:00am): vs. Canada
Sunday, December 31 (1:00pm): vs. Finland