Article content continued

Boeser, 20, had a magical transition from the University of North Dakota to the Canucks. He signed a three-year contract on March 25 and scored in his NHL debut the same day in Minnesota. He managed four goals in nine games, which made burning a year of his entry-level deal palatable, even though he becomes a restricted free agent in two years and could cash in if his promise matches his production.

“You have a taste of it (NHL) and you learn what you have to work on in the summer to make the team because you have to earn it,” Canucks coach Travis Green said Monday.

That makes this week important. In a short study, Boeser proved he has the head and the frame for the NHL game and a heavy and accurate one-time slapper. But he needs to improve his first-step quickness and awareness of systems.

“You can’t try to do (teach) everything,” Green said of the compressed camp that has already included long weekend bonding in Whistler and the dreaded Grouse Grind trek. “It will contain certain parts of how to play with quickness, how to pivot with the puck, how to box out, shoot and some four-on-four scrimmaging.”

All that should only put Juolevi’s game on prime display. Already compared favourable to Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom, having a great main camp could force the Canucks’ hand because the Finn isn’t eligible to play in the American Hockey League.

Photo by Nick Procaylo / PNG Files

“There’s such a premium on defencemen who can get the puck out of the zone and push it up ice and he knew he had to get stronger at the end of the season,” Green said of Juolevi, 19, who will be schooled by countryman and guest coach Sami Salo this week.