Getting to know JJ

The Vancouver Canucks bolstered their depth on defence drafting Joni Jurmo with the team's first pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.

The 18-year-old from Espoo, Finland, who had five goals and 23 assists, alongside a plus-13 rating in 43 games with Jokerit Jr. last season, was the 47th ranked prospect by NHL Network, yet fell to the Canucks at 82nd overall.
The 6-foot-4 and 190 pound blueliner expressed his excitement at joining the Canucks, a team he watches regularly, during a media Zoom call after being drafted.

A few takeaways: Jurmo had just returned home from morning skate when his agent texted to inform him he was drafted by Vancouver; he's friends with Dallas Stars d-man Miro Heiskanen and trained with him last off-season; Jurmo has never been to Vancouver and said it will be at least two years before he's physically and mentally ready to make the jump to the NHL.
Outside analysis on the pick is positive. Jurmo was described as a high upside pick by Lassi Alanen, a Finland-based scout and prospects analyst for Elite Prospects.
"Excellent skater for a six-foot-four defenceman,"

tweeted. "Probably one of the best puck-rushing blueliners in the entire draft class. Can handle at high speed, too. Defends well against the rush. High upside pick."
That being said, Jurmo has areas that need improving, like any 18-year-old prospect.
Asked what areas need improving, Jurmo was frank: "my defensive game, I need to be tougher and close my gaps better."
"His decision-making is questionable at times and so is his defensive game," added Alanen. "A long-term project but the combo skating and size is so intriguing."
Alanen created the chart below to display Jurmo's underlying metrics.

Off the ice, Jurmo, or JJ as his friends call him, spends his free time playing badminton, soccer and he's a gamer, currently playing NBA2K. Erik Karlsson is his hockey idol, he loves ice cream and the top item on his bucket list is playing in the NHL.
He's one step closer to that now.
Welcome to the Canucks, JJ.