The Spruce Grove Saints are proud to announce that 1997 born, fouth-year forward, Chase Olsen has secured an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to attend Merrimack College for the 2018-2019 season. Olsen is set to join the Warriors hockey team, which competes in the Hockey East division of the NCAA. The Warriors have two NCAA tournament appearances to the program's credit.
The Olds, Alberta product becomes a Warrior after being acquired at this season's trade deadline from the Olds Grizzlys. In 12 games as a Saint, Olsen boasts an impressive 12 goals, 12 assists and 6 penalty minutes with a total of 24 goals, 28 assists and 52 points in 44 games split between the Saints and Grizzlys.
Before joining the Saints, Olsen had spent his entire AJHL career with his hometown Olds Grizzlys. As a rookie Olsen set the league on fire posting 32 goals, 49 assists for 81 points in 58 games in the 2015-2016 season. In 155 games played as a Grizzly, Olsen tallied well over a point per game with 186 points.
“We are extremely happy for Chase in his commitment to Merrimack. Chase has injected a higher level of leadership, confidence and work ethic into our room. He is very deserving of this accomplishment,” stated Head Coach Bram Stephen.” He has been everything we expected and more since arriving in Spruce Grove”.
The 5’11”, 185-pound natural centreman could hardly contain his excitement when speaking about his recent commitment. “Merrick was the perfect fit for my hockey and academic plans. On my fly down I was able to experience campus life and Merrick had a great small town feel but presented big school resources. It really is the best of both worlds. Olsen added “The character and culture of the hockey program was awesome, I am really looking forward to being a Warrior.”
Olsen had many people he wanted to thank when thinking of the long road to receiving his scholarship. “Obviously without my family I wouldn’t be here, I can’t thank them enough for everything they have sacrificed for me. I want to thank the Olds Grizzlys and my former coach Dana Latery for supporting me along the way. I want to thank the Bram, Rob, and the entire Spruce Grove Saints organization for bringing me in and giving me all the opportunity I could ask for to be successful. The Saints are a first-class organization. I am truly grateful to be here and look forward to hopefully making a long playoff run with the Saints.”
GM Rob Sklaruk was proud to see another Saint off to the NCAA. “The Saints are thrilled that Chase has chosen Merrimack and are extremely proud of what he has accomplished since joining the Saints. He has been a top end player in this league for a few years, so it is nice to see him get rewarded for all of his hard work. We are excited that he will continue his hockey career with a great program while pursuing his lofty academic goals.”
Olsen joins Chris Van OS-Shaw (Alaska- Anchorage) and TJ Lloyd (Bowling Green) as the third Saint to obtain an NCAA scholarship this season and fifth current Saint with an NCAA Division 1 scholarship.
The Saints organization would like to congratulate the Olsen family on Chase’s great accomplishment.
