Two of the biggest moments in Ryan Olsen's hockey career didn't happen on the ice, but rather came in the classroom and on the family couch.
Fresh off his sophomore season in the Western Hockey League with the Saskatoon Blades, the 18-year-old was back home and in class on May 3 when his phone rang. It was Blades general manager and head coach Lorne Molleken.
"I was in class and couldn't answer but I wasn't expecting to hear from him so I knew something must be up," recalled Olsen.
His instincts proved to be bang on.
The Blades had completed a draft day deal, sending him to the Kelowna Rockets for two players, including their leading scorer, Shane McColgan.
Olsen only had a few weeks to absorb the trade before thinking about the next potential chapter of his career. It was day two of the NHL entry draft in Pittsburgh and the 6-foot-2 centre was projected to be picked sometime in the later rounds.
He had serious pre-draft discussions with scouts from several teams, including Chicago, Los Angeles and Toronto.
However, it was the Winnipeg Jets that selected him in the sixth round, 160th overall.
"That was the best day of my life," said Olsen.
"I was hoping I would be selected but there was no guarantee either. I was just with my family waiting to see what would happen when Winnipeg phoned me. It was a surprise because I hadn't really talked to them but so exciting too. It's something that you always had dreamed about and now it's happened."
Olsen was too sick to attend the Jets development camp in late June and now the current NHL labour dispute has put his first-ever pro training camp on hold for now.
Through his years growing up in minor hockey and even his one season in the B.C. Midget Hockey League with the Greater Vancouver Canadians, Olsen was noted for his goal scoring ability. He was 10th in league scoring with the Canadians three seasons ago, compiling a team best 47 points in 38 games, including 24 goals.
Since his move to major junior, Olsen has found his niche as a forward with more of a defensive responsibility. He spent much of last season centering the Blades' third line, which often led to a shutdown role.
"In minor hockey, it was something that wasn't expected of me or I was asked to do," said Olsen of his defensive role. "At this level everyone is good and is looking for ice time so you better show you can play a defensive game too. It just got to the point where the coach trusted that part of my game where I could fill a certain role."
The Rockets will be expecting more scoring from him, as well as leadership, as a third-year WHL veteran.
"Ryan is the big two-way centre we have been looking for," said Rockets head coach Ryan Huska. "He has good offensive ability and we look forward to developing him into an important member of our hockey club."
