Ryan Olsen’s Pay Day

Growing up in Tsawwassen there wasn’t a lot of hockey to be played, given the fact that there are two rinks, one being in Tsawwassen (South Delta) and the other in Ladner.

The young player was selected to play in Saskatoon for the Blades gave him a lot of confidence that he was able to play at a high level of the game, at least in the WHL.

He was pleased to have his career advance to a new level, but it would soon take a turn, all for the best. In looking to better the team Head Coach Ryan Huska did what some might question.

The Rockets traded leading scorer Shane McColgan and forward Jessey Astles to the Saskatoon Blades and saw them acquire 18 year old 6 foot 2 centre Ryan Olsen.

The Rockets in return also receive two 2012 draft picks which will see Saskatoon send the 2nd and 5th round picks in the draft to the Rockets, which will no doubt pay off to Ryan Huska and crew.

When Olsen was with Saskatoon he had 15 goals and 32 points last season which was his second full season in the WHL.

It’s still a bit early to tell how the trade will work for the Rockets, but after the year Ryan Olsen just completed, the Winnipeg Jets will be enthusiastic with every sixth-round pick they  might obtain.

The Jets are not deep at centre and with Olson being 6-2, the Rocket’s worked on this over the summer.

Olsen is pleased with the overall selection, given the fact he had a 15-goal season with the Saskatoon Blades, so for him to be drafted at all – it was just fine with him.

He said the trade only in his third season “was just the spark he needed.” He finished second on the Rockets in goals, and led with 15 power-play tallies.

“It was a change of scenery for me, going to Kelowna,” he said. “I played with some pretty good players and I had a lot of confidence going in there, (plus) getting drafted to the NHL.

When he came to town, he had Family and Friends there to support him, which does any player a world of good. As a youngster, he reads the ice well and is an exceptional skater.

He might be compared to several players, but everyone has there own style, and he’ll fit in jus well with the Jet’s.

Ryan’s contract with the Jet’s is a three year, two-way entry level contract worth an average annual value of $726,700.

Congratulations to Ryan on his signing!