The Canucks defender has played 18 games so far this season and is a valuable member of Vancouver's penalty kill.
Noah Juulsen's game continues to improve as the season progresses. After being a healthy scratch for the majority of October, the Vancouver Canucks defender has become an everyday player with a key role on the penalty kill. A player who is never afraid to shy away from a hit, he also brings a physical presence to the lineup, which Vancouver has been missing over the past few seasons.
Juulsen's career with the Canucks organization started three seasons ago when he was traded from Florida to Vancouver. While he did play games for the NHL club, he spent most of his first two seasons in Abbotsford at the AHL level. While at the time of the trade, he wasn't 100% sure about the move, as he explains, a conversation with Abbotsford general manager Ryan Johnson helped him settle in and remind him that hockey is a game that should be enjoyed.
"It's it's been great," said Juulsen. "Obviously, when I got traded here, I wasn't so sure about it. Three years ago, I was a little younger, just things like that. When I first got here, I talked to Ryan Johnson, the GM in Abby, and he told me, you haven't been playing a lot, you've been hurt and whatnot, so just go to Abby and go play a lot and go have fun. I think that's the biggest thing I took from it was just having fun and enjoying the game again, was the biggest thing for me."
After working hard in Abbotsford, Juulsen earned a two-year extension this offseason and made the team out of training camp. A big reason why he made the opening night roster is his willingness to play a physical brand of hockey. Listed at 6'2"and 201 pounds, he understands how to use his size to his advantage, which is one of the biggest strengths in his game.
"I've always liked to be physical. Just keeping it simple has been the biggest thing for me just working on that. You know, finding guys whether they'd be here or there, but the physical has always been there for me."
While Juulsen has been a pro for the last seven seasons, he is a player who is always looking at ways to improve his game. One way he is doing that is by utilizing the coaching staff's extensive knowledge of the game. With multiple Stanely Cup Champions on the bench, he is taking the opportunity to learn as much as he can from these legends of the game.
"The whole coaching staff. You've got Footer (Adam Foote) and (Sergei) Gonchar, Yeosi (Mike Yeo) and Tocc (Rick Tocchet). There's so much experience and so much knowledge, and it's a tight group there. Anything you need or, you know, a little pointer here and there, they have the answers for you, which is great."
Speaking of head coach Rick Tocchet, he has also noticed improvements in Juulsen's game. As he explains, the defender is starting to settle his game down, which is allowing him to make better reads on the ice. The Canucks coach also pointed out how strong he has been on the penalty kill and credits his work shorthanded to his improved play at even strength.
"Well, definitely puck decisions. Whatever's in front of them, he's taken it. He's not looking for the second option; he's looking for the first option. I think that's really helped his game. And his PK, I think, is PK, which has been really good lately, has helped his five on five game. He's got a lot of confidence out there. He's getting a lot of confidence. He's just been night and day over the last month."
Based on his recent play and deployment, it is hard to imagine Juulsen will be coming out of the lineup anytime soon. He sits third on the team in hits with 47 and ranks fourth in penalty kill minutes over the last five games. A player who has made the most of his opportunities, he continues to bring value to this Canucks lineup on a nightly basis.
