(Spruce Grove, AB) – The Spruce Grove Saints General Manager Rob Sklaruk announced today the club has added Boyd Olson to the team’s coaching staff. Olson has been named an Assistant Coach on Head Coach Bram Stephen’s staff and will also serve as the team’s Video Coach.
Olson was drafted in the 6th round of the 1995 National Hockey League Draft by the Montreal Canadiens and was known as an elite defensive player and a mature leader. Prior to being drafted into the NHL and beginning his professional career, he played junior hockey for the Tri City Americans of the Western Hockey League, where he compiled 58 points and 192 penalty minutes through 133 games played. Following his success in junior hockey with Tri City, Boyd began his four-year professional hockey career, which saw him spend three seasons with the Fredericton Canadiens and the Quebec Citadelles of the American Hockey League. In total, Olsen played 225 games in the AHL, putting up 67 points and 170 penalty minutes.
After his professional career concluded, Olson returned to Edmonton, Alberta where he coached five seasons with the Leduc Midget AAA Oil Kings, played for the Senior Men’s AAA Stony Plain Eagles for six seasons and worked professionally for the Edmonton Fire Department. In 2018-2019, Olson joined the Hockey Super League as Head Coach for U15 Saints Pro Hockey Academy, coaching the club for the past four seasons.
General Manager Rob Sklaruk spoke about adding a former professional hockey player to his staff, saying “Boyd will be a huge addition to our coaching staff. He’s an excellent communicator and his attention to detail will be a valuable asset. I know Bram, Ryan and Brandon are looking forward to working with him right away.”
Olson also spoke about joining the team, saying “The Saints have been one of the best junior teams in the nation for last few years, Rob and his staff have built a real powerhouse culture where highly skilled players want to play. It will be an honor to be a part of the Saints legacy.”
The Spruce Grove Saints are currently 12-4-1 and sit in first place in the AJHL’s North Division. The Saints are in the middle of a four-game road trip, facing off against the Canmore Eagles and the Okotoks Oilers this Friday and Saturday respectively, before returning home for a Nov 9th clash with the Grande Prairie Storm. Fans can catch all the action on the Saints Radio Network (mixlr.com/sprucegrovesaints) this weekend starting at 6:45pm both nights.