WHL Stars of Tomorrow: Zach Olsen, Saskatoon Blades
The Saskatoon Blades can’t stop raving about Zach Olsen – and we can’t blame them.
Taken 29th overall at the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft, Olsen was the Blades’ first selection in last year’s rendition of the annual draft.
But, even if the Club had an earlier selection, the forward hailing from Calgary, Alta. still would’ve been their top choice.
“Just right away you notice his skating, his powerful skating strides, his ability to skate with the puck with a ton of speed,” Blades Head Coach Dan DaSilva praised. “Obviously he has a great shot to go along with the powerful skating stride. I think he’s going to fit in just fine here with us moving forward.”
On the other side of the virtual draft floor, a then-15-year-old Olsen was grinning ear-to-ear as he saw his name pop up as the Blades’ second-round selection. While he already had a slight inkling that this was going to happen, he was absolutely ecstatic to see it made official.
“I was eating lunch with my Dad and my Mom, and then we saw my name get called,” Olsen reminisced. “At first, I knew that Saskatoon was interested but I wasn’t for sure on what was gonna happen. But, then when I did see my name get called I was super, super excited because I’ve heard nothing but great things about Saskatoon.”
May 11th, 2023… Zach Olsen is the Saskatoon Blades first pick of the @TheWHL Prospects Draft.
Tonight, he makes his league debut in front of 12,000+ fans at @SaskTelCtr pic.twitter.com/9OYK3q8uAG
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 24, 2024
Following his selection, the Albertan packed his bags and headed to ‘Toon Town’ to take part in his first-ever training camp and preseason with the Western League Club.
It was at the Blades’ camp that Olsen, who was brimming with nerves, got his first taste of WHL action. According to the newcomer, the level of maturity embedded into the roster was completely unexpected yet inspiring.
Albeit – a large sum of the regulars had already been selected by NHL clubs or were top prospects ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.
“They were such a professional group. Everything they did on and off the ice,” Olsen admitted. “Everywhere you went and everyone you watched, they are pros and they have what it takes to go play in the NHL. So, it was super special getting to watch what they do before the games and even in practice.”
Over the course of training camp, Olsen quickly found himself gravitating to two players specifically – recent WHL graduate Charlie Wright and Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Fraser Minten.
Upon meeting the forward, Wright and Minten were happy to help him out as best as they could. And, in no time, the pair of League veterans were people that Olsen not only looked up to but wanted to evolve into.
“Charlie Wright, he was loved by the whole community down in Saskatoon. I’d really like to be like him off the ice, and then on the ice, Fraser Minten. Just watching him with the puck, he’s a threat everywhere her is. So, it’d be super, super special to be like him.”
While Olsen spent his training camp learning from and looking up to the veteran players on the team, DaSilva admits that the budding talent didn’t look too far off. According to the bench boss, the forward possesses a handful of traits that are difficult to find in younger talent.
“We’re looking for guys who first and foremost, they come in and they work, and Zach has that work ethic. We need guys who are going to battle, and guys who are going to want to grind and get to the net and do a job in the corners. And Zach does that as well.”
Zach Olsen is going to be a problem in this league… just not ours ☺️ pic.twitter.com/AtdZttfOPx
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 24, 2024
In March of 2023, Olsen’s hard work paid off, as he got the chance to further his WHL career by getting to skate in his first career regular-season game with the Blades. Suiting up for a clash with division rivals, the Prince Albert Raiders, Olsen took the ice with his heart nearly thumping out of his chest.
And, once again, it was his role models – Wright and Minten – who came to the rescue.
“They just told me even before my first game I played there, ‘Don’t even worry. You’re here for a reason.’ They just helped settle me down and just calm me and just guided me.”
Their pep talk was exactly what Olsen needed. With his nerves subsided and feeling as calm as ever, Olsen’s regular season debut left a great impression on the Blades’ coaching staff. While held off the scoresheet in a 5-0 shutout over the Raiders, the 16-year-old proved that he has the talent to compete in the WHL.
“Well, he was a coach’s dream, in the sense he did everything we asked of him. It was limited minutes, but when he was out there you noticed him in a positive way,” DaSilva explained. “A lot of guys are maybe a little nervous or cautious, but you didn’t notice that in him at all. He was out there, he was aggressive, he was assertive, he was confident. So, those attributes right there will take him a long way in this game.”
"It was an awesome environment"
📽️ Rookie forward Zach Olsen on his @TheWHL in front of 13,000 fans at @SaskTelCtr pic.twitter.com/zoXDEazPQ9
— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) March 24, 2024
And, while relatively early into his junior hockey career, DaSilva sees a lot of upside in the forward’s game.
“I think the sky is the limit for him, as long as he keeps coming in and putting in the work. Consistently trying to get better, then Zach can be whatever type of player he wants to be as he gets older in the League.”
Olsen, on the other hand, is hoping to take his blossoming career just one day at a time. More confident in his game than ever, he’s happily committed to cracking the Blades’ roster as a 16-year-old.
“Going into camp this year, I’m going to know what to expect and what to be ready for,” Olsen shared. “It’s exciting to think that I could actually be on the team this year and be able to play in lots of games, but I still got lots I got to work on, and I got to earn my spot on the team.”
Olsen and the Blades will continue their preseason campaign on Sunday, September 8, when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Sask.
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