SIGNED » Olen Zellweger, Anaheim Ducks
Silvertips Defenseman Olen Zellweger Signs Three Year, Entry Level Contract with the Anaheim Ducks
EVERETT, Wash. – The Everett Silvertips (@WHLSilvertips), two-time Western Conference champions and eight time U.S. Division champions of the Western Hockey League, announced today that defenseman Olen Zellweger has signed a three-year, entry level contract with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League.
“Olen’s skill level is outstanding and is matched, if not surpassed, by his high level of work ethic to make this next milestone possible in his career,” said Silvertips general manager and head coach Dennis Williams. “Even after being drafted, he’s continued to enhance the habits that make him a legitimate NHL prospect and a high impact player on our team this upcoming season. As an organization, we’re extremely proud of Olen and look forward to what his drive can accomplish in the future.”
“It’s a super exciting day for me and family to have an entry level contract secured with the Anaheim Ducks,” said Zellweger. “Taking the next step means more opportunities to keep working on my game and developing with a great organization in Everett, who have proven to get players ready for the pro level. I can’t wait to return for a full year and I know we’re going to have a great, competitive team again that will help us succeed, and develop my game in the right direction.”
Zellweger, 17 (9/10/03), was selected by the Ducks in the second (34th overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft after ranking fourth among league defensemen in points per game (1.18). He appeared in 11 games this past season for the Silvertips with 13 points (2g-11a), five power play assists, and one game-winning goal.
Start brushing up on those Mighty Ducks movies, @OlenZellweger. #NHLDraft
(📹 @Jackie_Redmond / @EJHradek_NHL / @NHLNetwork) pic.twitter.com/PsuGkxIfiS
— Everett Silvertips (@WHLsilvertips) July 24, 2021
Zellweger left the Silvertips for the remainder of the shortened season to help Team Canada capture the gold medal at the Under-18 World Championships, where he tied the program’s lead among defensemen with eight points (1g-7a) in seven games and had an assist in their gold medal victory. Along with teammate and Carolina Hurricanes drafted prospect Ronan Seeley, he recently completed national junior team summer development camp with Team Canada, in preparation for this winter’s World Junior Championships.
The native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta has 25 points (4g-21a) and a +25 rating in 70 career WHL games, all with the Silvertips, and was selected in the second round by the Silvertips in the 2018 WHL Draft. With Team Canada-Red at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, he earned a pair of assists in five games.
Last season, Zellweger was a part of the Silvertips eighth U.S. Division title.
TIPS IN THE NHL
After selections on Jul. 24 for Niko Huuhtanen (Tampa Bay) and Olen Zellweger (Anaheim), the Everett Silvertips have elevated 29 players to be drafted by NHL clubs, including ten in the previous four years. Last season, three Silvertips were selected in the draft – Gage Goncalves (Tampa Bay) in the second round, Kasper Puutio (Florida) in the fifth round, and Ronan Seeley (Carolina) in the seventh round. Entering the 2021-22 season, their 19th in the WHL, the Silvertips have helped promote 20 players to make their NHL debut.
COMING UP:
- PRE-SEASON NHL HOCKEY: The “Three Rink Rush” and the Silvertips host a battle between the Seattle Kraken and Edmonton Oilers at Angel of the Winds Arena on Oct. 1. at 7:00 p.m. PT.
- OPENING NIGHT in downtown Everett: the Silvertips host the Portland Winterhawks at Angel of the Winds Arena, Oct. 8 at 7:05 p.m. | TIPS TICKET PACKAGE INFO
- The Silvertips will open their 19th season in the WHL on Oct. 2, visiting the Kelowna Rockets at 7:05pm.
- Silvertips pre-season: Opens Sept. 10 vs. Spokane at 6pm as part of the Silvertips Pre-Season Classic at Angel of the Winds Arena. Ticket information will be announced soon.
Follow the Silvertips: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat (evt_silvertips)
