Carolina Hurricanes Prospects: Collin Olson Continues College Career at Western Michigan
By Brett Finger
Between now and the start of the preseason, Cardiac Cane will preview every Carolina Hurricanes prospect as they enter the 2015-2016 season and what we expect from them in the coming year and beyond.
Player: Collin Olson
Position: Goalie
Date of Birth: April 4, 1994 (21)
Birthplace: Apple Valley, Minnesota (USA)
Height/Weight: 6’4″/216 lbs.
2015-2016 Team: Western Michigan University (NCAA)
Scouting Report:
"Olson is not outstanding in any particular area but is a solid, all-around goalie who relies on athleticism and solid fundamentals. After his disappointing experience at Ohio State he is off to a good start playing on one of the USHL’s top teams. He is intent on returning to college hockey in 2015-16 and his success at that level in the future should give a clearer indication of his long-term potential. (HOCKEY’S FUTURE)"
The curious case of Carolina Hurricanes prospect goalie Collin Olson has yet to be solved, but the young, big bodied net minder is set to return to college hockey this season.
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After 2 years with the United Stated National Team Development Program Juniors, Olson not only starred in the 2012 U18 World Junior Championship, but he was on the hunt to make a big impact at the Ohio State University in 2012-2013.
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To the dismay of many, Olson failed to make any kind of impact with the Buckeyes. As a freshman, he made just 9 appearances, and despite seeing little game action, he showed promise as a young goalie, but that changed in his sophomore year.
As a sophomore in 2013-14, Collin Olson played in just 2 games, racking up a 7.64 goals against average and .805 save percentage. In November of that year, he left Ohio State permanently, heading to the USHL, where he played a majority of his hockey with the Sioux City Musketeers.
In 20 games played, Olson exceeded expectations and emerged as one of the top goalies in the league, going 12-3-1 with a 2.31 goals against average and .931 save percentage.
The 2014-2015 season would be Olson’s first full season with the Musketeers, and he claim the starting job in Sioux City. He compiled an impressive record of 27-10-4. His goals against average of 2.71 and .914 save percentage both ranked near the top of the USHL.
After two breakout years in the USHL, Collin Olson committed to play his 2015-2016 hockey at Western Michigan University.
Carolina Hurricanes
Olson will be a junior this season at Western Michigan, and it will be a great test to see where he really is in his development.
At 6’4″, 216 pounds, Collin Olson has fantastic size to go along with his good quickness and positioning. That being said, his rocky junior-level hockey career makes him a big question mark for the Hurricanes.
The Carolina Hurricanes drafted Olson in the 6th round of the 2012 NHL draft, so he was never a very highly touted prospect, but if he can put up solid numbers at WMU this season, he could be thrown on the map and potentially sign an entry level deal with Carolina.
Olson has shown a considerable amount of inconsistency early in his career, however, and he doesn’t show the same upside of a guy like Alex Nedeljkovic, the top goalie prospect in the Hurricanes organization.
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Down the road, Olson projects to be a good minor league goalie, resembling a Drew MacIntyre at his best, but that could change in the next couple seasons as he finishes out his collegiate career and makes the jump to the pros. Olson’s future and potential ceiling is still very unclear at this point considering how unproven he is and the unorthodox hockey path that he has taken.