Noah Juulsen has one massive message for the Vancouver Canucks organization
Photo credit: The Hockey News
At Friday's year-end media availability, Vancouver Canucks defenseman
Noah Juulsen spoke publicly for the first time since his injury. The 28-year-old, who hasn't played since February 2 due to sports hernia surgery, also touched on his future with the team as he approaches unrestricted free agency this offseason.
Set to become a free agent this off-season, defenseman Noah Juulsen wants to resign with the Vancouver Canucks.
This season, Juulsen appeared in 35 games for the Canucks, tallying 101 hits and 60 blocked shots. He regularly filled a third-pairing role and was a steady presence on the penalty kill. However, his year was cut short due to a lower-body surgery.
Brendan Batchelor took to X earlier today to break the news following the Canucks end of year media availability.
Noah Juulsen says he would really like to be back with the #Canucks next year. He's a pending UFA this summer.
Here's what Juulsen had to say during Friday's end of year media availability.
"Yeah, it sucked. Obviously, you never want to have surgery, not during the season. But I think obviously, it's good that I kind of dealt with. Hopefully, get healthy and be healthy going into next season." -Juulsen
Adam Kierszenblat from The Hockey News writes that Juulsen shared that the injury had been affecting him throughout the entire season. By February, the discomfort had reached a level where the team decided it was best to shut him down and begin the rehab process.
"While Juulsen is still not completely done with his rehab, he is confident that it will not cause him issues throughout the summer." -Kierszenblat
Juulsen also had this to say during his media availability on Friday.
"I've played through it from basically mid-October on until that point. So, it was something we knew about. Then, it just got to a point where it needed to be dealt with. So we did deal with it, obviously. It's not going to hold me back. I'm seven weeks in now to the rehab part of it and I probably got three more to go until I am full go." -Juulsen
Kierszenblat also writes that Juulsen was asked about his expiring contract. The right-shot defenceman, who has spent the past four seasons with the Canucks and appeared in 109 regular-season games since joining the team in 2021, expressed a desire to remain with the organization.
"Yeah, I really would like to be back. I think the last two years here in Van have been great for me as a player. We're trying to build a group here that we can have for a while. I'd love to be back." -Juulsen
Given his playing style and established chemistry with the team, it wouldn't be a surprise if Juulsen signs an extension with the Canucks this summer.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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