Blades sign 2009 1st rounder

Press Release

Saskatoon, SK -- Lorne Molleken, General Manager and Head Coach of the Saskatoon Blades, announced Sunday the signing of Ryan Olsen, the team’s 1st round selection in the 2009 Bantam Draft to a WHL Standard Player Agreement. The announcement came as the Blades wrapped up their Spring Camp held this weekend in Saskatoon.

Olsen, a center, was selected 20th overall from the South Delta (BC) Storm Bantam AAA team. In 60 games played with the Storm last season, the native of Delta, BC had 67 goals and 65 assists for 132 points.

“We are very happy to get Ryan under contract and look forward to things he will be able to do in a Blades’ uniform,” said Molleken. “He will fit in nicely with our other young players and have an easy transition to the WHL.”

Olsen will be eligible to play in up to five games with the Blades as a 15-year-old during the 2009-10 season until his midget season is done. He is expected to spend the season with the Greater Vancouver Canadians of the BC Major Midget League.



(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)