Vancouver Canucks of Tomorrow: Joni Jurmo (WJC, Team Finland)

Canucks of Tomorrow is assessing every prospect in the Vancouver Canucks system and what they are projecting to be in the future. We’ll be looking at the strengths and weaknesses of their game, as well as what the future holds for them if and when they advance through the Vancouver organization. Today, we feature Joni Jurmo

JONI JURMO

Position: Left-shot defenceman

How Acquired: 2020 3rd-round draft pick, 82nd overall.

2021-22 Stats: (GP-G-A-PTS) 50-2-8-10, 18 PIM (Jukurit in Finnish Liiga)

Contract Status: Unsigned. Canucks hold his rights until June 1, 2024.

Anticipated 2022-23 Team: Jukurit, Liiga

Prospect Synopsis

This large, 20-year-old left-shot defenceman will return to Finland this season to continue playing with men in the country’s top pro SM Liiga.

In the meantime, Vancouver Canucks fans can watch Jurmo over the next two weeks competing for Finland at the 2022 World Junior Championship being held in Edmonton starting on Tuesday.

There were a lot of eyeballs on the 6-foot-4, 200-pound D-man at Canucks Development Camp.

European based Elite Prospects summed him up this way in their draft guide prior to his 2020 3rd-round selection:

Jurmo’s projectable 6-foot-4 frame and smooth-skating lend itself to covering large swaths of ice and carrying the puck from one zone to the next sometimes effortlessly. His speed makes him one of the best puck-rushers in the Finnish U20 league. He accelerates well when he’s already in motion and is a deceptive skater in the neutral zone with crossovers and changes of pace.

“I really like this kid a lot,” then Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning said of his highest selection in the NHL Draft that year. “I remember Alex Edler in his draft year; he was a big guy who was a good skater. I think Joni is an even better skater. He’s got good offensive skill.”

Edler had also been taken in the 3rd-round back in 2004 and played most of 15 seasons for Vancouver.

Jurmo tallied 28 points from the blueline in 43 games his final season of Finnish junior. He’s been playing with the big boys in Finland for two years.

Future

Given Jurmo’s size and skating upside, there’s good reason for some anticipation and excitement within the Vancouver Canucks player development department. He showed well at camp.

He’ll be watched closely at Jukurit as he looks to continue developing physical strength and his defending techniques.