2004 Prospects: Q&A with Darin Olver

Darin Olver is a freshman at Northern Michigan, ranked seventh among NCAA prospects in the preliminary rankings, and 63^rd among North American skaters in the mid-term rankings by Central Scouting.

The flashy center is Northern’s leading scorer with 23 points (9 goals, 14 assists) in 26 games. Olver spoke to Hockey’s Future following a game at the University of Alabama-Huntsville and assessed his season positively.

“It’s going good. It’s been a little bit rocky, obviously, I’m not used to all the physical play and the speed adjustment. But so far it’s going really well and the team’s doing well, so there’s not too much more you can ask.”

Olver played for Chilliwack in the BCHL before coming to Northern. He feels the adjustment has been considerable and that the biggest factor for him is strength. At 6’0 and only 170 pounds, he’s at a disadvantage. He also notes that has to use his speed more than before.

Olver describes his game this way. “I think I’m more of a playmaker. I get the occasional goal, but my game is playmaking. I see the ice and I’m always looking to dish the puck.”

Darin’s father John Olver attended the University of Michigan in the 1970’s and is currently coaching the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. He was an influence in Darin’s decision of where to go to school. Darin considered his father’s alma mater, but decided on Northern.

“Yeah, obviously I did look into that, but I came here because of Walt. [Kyle] He’s a good friend of my dad’s. He’s known him for a long time, he’s a great coach. The program is good too, I mean the rink and the facilities, they’re top level.”

NMU head coach Walt Kyle is very enthusiastic about Olver and his future.

“He’s a young guy feeling his way through his first year of college. Darin is a guy that has off the charts physical skills. He’s very aware of what’s going on on the ice. He has excellent speed, hands and vision. He’s a guy that’s a young freshman learning to play against men right now. I think Darin is a great prospect, not only to become a great college player, but to go on and play pro because he has such great skills.”

Coach Kyle currently has Olver playing on his top line alongside Dirk Southern, a sophomore picked by Anaheim in the 2003 draft. Kyle projects Olver as a top two line player in the NHL as well.

“I think Darin’s a guy that if an NHL team drafts him, he’s going to have to play with people who can put the puck in the net because he’ll get them the puck in situations where they’re going to be able to do that.”

Olver explained the chemistry between he and Southern this way.

“I think me and Dirk think alike. We’re both playmakers, we’re both good moving the puck. When you have a guy thinking the exact same thing as you on a forecheck, on a rush, down low, it obviously helps because you know where each other are going to be.”

A true freshman, Olver won’t turn 19 until May. Like most 18-year-olds, what’s holding him back is his lack of weight. Olver knows that he must put on weight and this is the main thing he is working on.

“Strength is the biggest thing, every day. 170 pounds isn’t going to get me by. I have to keep working on it every day to get stronger.”

Asked if he was looking forward to the draft, Olver replied “Yeah, I am. I have to start picking it up here, but yeah I am for sure [laughs].” While looking forward to it, he’s trying not to worry about rankings too much.

“That’s the stuff that puts pressure on people. I’m not too worried about that at all. I’m going into each game here and trying to do the little things. That’s what’s going to get me higher. If the team’s doing well, then I’m obviously doing well.”