Olsen not letting Type 1 Diabetes hold him back of success
It’s no secret the road to become a player in the Western Hockey League (WHL) is filled with adversity. For Saskatoon Blades rookie forward Zach Olsen, the road came with added challenges.
“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was in Grade 2,” said Olsen, “I had been off for weeks. I was tired all the time, drinking tons of water, and using the bathroom more frequently. My mom knew something was off so she was watching closely. One day before school I was throwing up, so we called my dad and he said to bring me into the children’s hospital.
Similar to teammate Evan Gardner when he received his type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Olsen was scared of what the news would mean for his hockey career.
“It was hard to hear at first because I didn’t know what it was and what my life was going to look like,” said Olsen, “The doctors and everyone around me were super helpful in showing me what diabetes is about and that I could continue to play hockey. Having a guy like Max Domi to look up to growing up helped me a lot. I read his book about type 1 diabetes and learned from him because he went through the same thing.”
The 6-foot-1 winger grew up as one of the top players amongst 2008-born players across western Canada, so much so the Blades selected Olsen with their first pick of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft at 29th overall. The Calgary, AB native went on to score 14 goals and 15 assists in 25 games during the 2023-24 regular season with the Canadian Sport School Hockey League’s (CSSHL) Edge School U18 Prep. Olsen’s size and scoring ability earned him his WHL debut in the Blades’ final regular season game on March 23, 2023 in front of 13,000+ fans on home ice. Now a mainstay on the Blue and Gold’s roster, Olsen’s third in rookie scoring for the club this year with three goals, six assists, and nine points in 16 games. The right-handed shot missed all five games of the team’s BC road trip to at the beginning of November due to an injury but has registered three assists in as many games since his return to the lineup.
Zach Olsen scores his first career WHL goal Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 against the Everett Silvertips at SaskTel Centre
“I wouldn’t say playing with diabetes impacts me,” said Olsen “Making sure my blood sugar is good and everything before I get on the ice is now just part of my routine.”
Both Olsen and Gardner have help from Blades head athletic therapist, Blaine Whyte, and assistant athletic therapist, Kacey Marcinkiw to make sure they’re ready to go before, during, and after a game.
“For us trainers, it’s more so watching their blood levels and making sure they’re in optimal range,” said Marcinkiw, “Normal is around six millimoles (mmol/L per litre), a bad range for them is below four and above 11 or so. We want to make sure they’re in that optimal range while they play.”
New technology has allowed both players to utilize a program called Dexcom, a continuous glucose monitoring system that’s connected to their phones.
Colten Worthington (left) and Zach Olsen (right) following the Saskatoon Blades 5-1 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024
“It’s basically a pin that’s in their arm and tracks their blood sugar levels,” said Marcinkiw, “It’s linked to their phones so they can share it with us, and we’re able to monitor that with updates about every five minutes. It’s really awesome.”
Olsen says the support from the club, especially his teammate Gardner, goes a long way.
“It definitely makes things easier because Evan knows what it is like,” said Olsen, “I would say we grown closer both living with diabetes.”
Although living with the same disease, each man has a different method when it comes to receiving insulin.
“I don’t use the pump, I do injections to get the insulin into me,” said Olsen,” It’s basically a little insulin pen with a needle on it. You calculate up all your food and then you just can stick it in any site you want. Evan has a pump that pumps his insulin in.”
Olsen says he hopes to inspire those living with diabetes that have aspirations of becoming a high-level athlete, similar to how Domi inspired him.
“I hope people remember that it’s not the end of the world for you and that you can always overcome it,” said Olsen, “The technology around it is the best it’s every been and the doctors know what they’re doing. Listen to them and you’ll be fine.”
