Canucks draft Finnish defenceman in 3rd round, do not qualify Stetcher
Posted October 7, 2020 1:40 pm.
Last Updated October 7, 2020 8:10 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The Vancouver Canucks took a Finnish defenceman in the third round Wednesday with their first pick in the 2020 NHL draft, but did not qualify another blueliner.
According to NEWS 1130’s Adam Forsythe, the Canucks did not offer a qualifying offer to Troy Stecher, making the Richmond native an unrestricted free agent.
Stecher played the past four seasons with the Canucks, totaling 75 points in 286 games. Stetcher, 26, was a restricted free agent.
The #Canucks have officially NOT qualified defensemen Troy Stecher. He becomes a free agent. @NEWS1130 https://t.co/e0Zt4QWSMv
— Adam Forsythe (@adamforsythe) October 7, 2020
In the draft, the Canucks selected Joni Jurmo 82nd overall. Jurmo, 18, is listed at 6’4′ and 198 pounds. He played 45 games last season with the Jokerit under-20 junior A team, recording five goals and 28 points in 43 games, as well as a plus-23 rating.
He is considered a puck-rushing defenseman with good size, a skilled player who knows how to handle the puck at high speed, according to prospect reports.
Jurmo experienced one of the biggest jumps in Central Scouting’s final rankings, going from 43rd among European skaters to 20th.
“One of the most improved players in Fin-Jr. League during 2019-20 season. Strong skater with speed & balance.” Goran Stubb, with the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, says in a tweet.
Welcome to the #Canucks, @Jonijurmo!
“One of the most improved players in Fin-Jr League during 2019-20 season. Strong skater with speed & balance.” Goran Stubb, NHLCSB pic.twitter.com/oLnLzSby6a
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) October 7, 2020
Jokke Nevalainen, with Dobber Prospects, says Jurmo is not the most dynamic player in the offensive end, but capable of producing points.
“Needs to improve decision-making and defensive zone play,” Nevalainen writes.
Jurmo says he needs to work on his defensive game and be better at closing his gaps. Says he expects to be ready for the NHL in 2-5 years or whenever he’s mentally ready. #Canucks
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) October 7, 2020
Elite Prospects says Jurmo’s smooth-skating allows him to cover large swaths of ice, and that his puck-carrying sometimes looks effortless.
“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,” says EliteProspects.
Vancouver did not have a first- or second-round pick in this year’s draft, held virtually because of COVID-19. Vancouver moved its first-round pick in 2020 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the trade for JT Miller.
Kunz says he’s been a #Canucks fan ever since former UND stars Brock Boeser and Troy Stecher have played for Vancouver. Kunz is from Grand Forks.
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) October 7, 2020
In the fourth round, the Canucks selected Jackson Kunz, 113th overall. Kunz, 18, is a 6’3”, 210-pound left-winger with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. He is committed to playing next season at the University of North Dakota, where Stecher and Canuck winger Brock Boeser won an NCAA title in 2016.
The Canucks’ other picks Wednesday were U.S. National Team Development Program defenceman Jacob Truscott (144th), Russian centre Dmitry Zlodeyev (175th) and Swedish defenceman Viktor Persson (191st).
While Stetcher wasn’t given an offer, the Canucks did qualify Abbotsford product Jake Virtanen, along with Tyler Motte, Adam Gaudette, Justin Bailey, Guillaume Brisebois, Jalen Chatfield, and Jake Kielly.
