Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson, and Adam Gaudette have all shown that they can handle NHL duty and with Boeser and Pettersson, make a noticeable impact on a nightly basis.

Over the last couple of years, the Canucks have seen their forward prospects make the leap to the NHL and make an impact.

However, on the defensive side of the game, there hasn't been a prospect that has been able to make the jump up. But there are some coming and there are reasons to be excited about them.

With that in mind, we will focus on four Canucks defensive prospects that have been playing well recently.

Jack Rathbone

Video: DEV CAMP | Jack Rathbone 1-on-1

The American born defender has made an impact in his first few weeks of collegiate hockey.

In five NCAA games thus far this season, Rathbone has two goals and five assists. He was also named the ECAC Rookie of the Week for the week of October 28th-November 4th.

Rathbone is tied for first in assists-per-game (1.0), is second in points-per-game (1.4), and tied for sixth in shots-per-game (3.2) among all NCAA freshmen.

The 2017 4th round pick has been able to quickly earn himself the left side deployment on Harvard's first pairing alongside Adam Fox. Both players are good skaters that can move the puck extremely well.

Rathbone has been strong in his neutral zone play, keeping good gap control to force his opponents to dump the puck in. This allows his partner, usually Fox, to beat the oncoming attack and move the puck out of the zone.

Obviously, it's only a couple of games for Rathbone this season, but he has looked particularly strong in all three zones and it's great to see that he has been rewarded with more ice-time.

Olli Juolevi

Video: YOUNG STARS | Olli Juolevi Mic'd Up vs Calgary

Another defender that has been particularly strong of late is 2016 first round pick Olli Juolevi.

He didn't struggle to start the year, but it's clear that he has grown more comfortable at the AHL level over the last few weeks. In the six games in November, Juolevi has seven assists and is averaging two shots per game.

Juolevi is a mainstay on the first power-play unit for the Comets and is making the most of the opportunity with seven of his 12 assists this season coming on the man advantage.

He is now tied for the lead in scoring on the Comets with three forwards (Reid Boucher, Zack MacEwen, and Tanner Kero) and leads all Utica defencemen in scoring by nine points. He is also sitting tied for second in rookie scoring across the AHL.

On the defensive side of the game, there is still some area to improve as the pace of the game is much faster than what he played against in Finland last season, but it's clear that he is working to improve every night.

Jett Woo

Video: Jett Woo's draft day with family and friends

The 2018 2nd round pick has been doing his thing and doing it well the past few weeks.

Woo may never be a huge offensive producer, but is a cerebral player that can fit any role that the coaching staff sees fit. His physicality, neutral zone defence, skating, and puck moving abilities make him such a complete prospect.

Woo represented Team WHL at the Canada/Russia Series, playing alongside 2019 draft eligible Bowen Byram in both games. Woo picked up an assist in the first game and although wasn't able to put up more points, was effective with Bryam.

We won't know if Woo will get an invite to the Team Canada World Juniors Evaluation camp for another couple of weeks, but he played well enough to be in the mix.

The Winnipeg born defender headed back to Moose Jaw and picked up two points in two games. He currently sits second in scoring among Warriors defenders despite missing the first few weeks of the season recovering from an injury.

Quinn Hughes

Video: Hughes mic'd up before being picked No. 7 by Canucks

We can't forget about 2018 first round pick Quinn Hughes in a defensive prospect update.

Through nine games this season, Hughes has three goals and six assists. He leads all NCAA defencemen with two game-winning goals. He is currently on a three-game point streak that has seen him post one goal and two assists during that time.

Hughes has continued to showcase what makes him such an intriguing prospect. His ability to transition the puck out of the zone with sublime edge work and puck control pushes opponents into retreat immediately. This gives him the time and space to do what he needs or he can move the puck to his teammates with speed to find the gaps in defensive coverage.

Michigan has a big test this weekend as they face 5thranked Penn State on Friday and Saturday night. Hughes will be leaned upon heavily in all three zones for Michigan.

The Wolverines have eight more games before the winter break that will see Hughes represent the United States at the World Juniors.