Dylan Olsen
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Birthday:
1991-01-03 |
Position:
D |
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Eligible for draft:
2009 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2009 |
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
1st round (28th overall), 2009 |
Weight:
206 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- C
History
2007-08: Dylan Olsen played for the Camrose Kodiaks of the AJHL. He appeared in 49 games for the Kodiaks, scoring eight goals and 16 assists while picking up 45 penalty minutes. Olsen was a driving force in the Kodiaks championship season.
2008-09: Olsen again played for the AJHL's Camrose Kodiaks. In 53 games for that club, he scored 10 goals and added 19 assists while racking up 123 penalty minutes. Olsen also played for Team Canada West in the 2008 World Junior A Challenge, picking up one goal and four assists in five games. In addition, he starred for Team Canada at the Under-18 World Junior Championships, scoring two goals and two assists while adding 14 penalty minutes in six games.
2009-10: As a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Olsen skated in 35 games and eventually ascended to the Bulldogs' top defensive pairing. He scored 1 goal and 10 assists for 11 points in his first year while earning 47 PIMs. Olsen was one of the final cuts from Canada's U20 WJC camp.
2010-11: Olsen got off to strong start on the ice with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, scoring 1 goal, 12 assists for 13 points in 17 games as part of the Bulldog's formidable top pairing with Justin Faulk (CAR). Olsen then earned a spot on Canada's WJC team, where he also played a lot of top pairing minutes but scored just 2 assists in 7 games for the silver medal winning team. He was signed to an entry-level contract during the WJC tournament due to being ruled academically ineligible at Duluth. He was forced into the Rockford lineup and played 42 AHL games with 4 assists and a minus-18 rating in his first taste of pro hockey.
2011-12: Olsen made his NHL debut in January and saw significant action in 28 games as the Blackhawks defense corps was beset by injuries. In 28 games with Chicago he was minus-five with 1 assist and 6 penalty minutes. Olsen played in one playoff game during the Blackhawks' six-game series with Phoenix – seeing just under five minutes of ice time. He skated in 44 AHL games with Rockford prior to being called up and was minus-five with 4 goals and 3 assists and 44 penalty minutes.
Talent Analysis
Olsen is a mobile defenseman with the potential to be an effective pro at both ends of the rink. He skates well for a big man and has a good top end speed. His heavy, accurate shot is effective on the man advantage, but he will need to continue developing his offensive instincts to play a consistent role on the power play in the NHL. He is a capable puck mover but is still prone to making bad decisions with the puck. Defensively, Olsen can use his size and strength to knock forwards off the puck. He shows a strong desire to win board battles and control the front of his net. His footwork and quickness could still use some work.
Future
The Blackhawks appeared to squeeze Olsen out of the NHL lineup with the signing of Sheldon Brookbank on July 1st, which gave the team seven veteran defensemen when healthy. Significant ice time in Rockford should benefit Olsen's development at both ends of the ice. Olsen has the potential to be a top four defender at the NHL level but proved capable on the third pairing as a rookie should an opening become available.
