Merritt Centennial Josh Olson (17) will be playing in the B.C. Hockey League this season with the Merritt Centennials. Dunsmoor Creative photo
Princeton Posse’s Josh Olson is taking the next step in his hockey career with the B.C. Hockey League’s Merritt Centennials.
Olson is excited to play with highly talented teammates in a community that loves hockey.
“I feel the program in Merritt is a good fit for myself because they want to have a winning team that’s not afraid to battle every night, which is the mindset I go into every game with,” says Olson, who in 135 career regular season and playoff games combined, scored 25 goals and collected 62 points. He also had 186 penalty minutes.
In their team release, Centennials head coach-GM Derek Sweet-Coulter says that Olson has an edge to his game. He also likes that Olson has played games in the BCHL.
“A kid who has some BCHL experience with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last year as an affiliate. A heavy player, physical, and good skills,” says Sweet-Coulter.
After being traded to the Posse following eight games with the Grizzlies, the Salmon Arm native scored 13 goals and had 30 points in 35 regular season games. Olson added three goals and five points in six playoff games.
“I feel I had a great season last year with Princeton,” says Olson, who turns 19 on Sept. 22. “I found the role of which suited me best and helped me succeed tremendously.
Olson added playing in Princeton helped him improve his offensive skills, mainly gaining confidence when carrying the puck and putting it at the net. The Posse program helped him move to the BCHL because of their high intensity practices and while at the arena, being treated like a pro day in and day out.
Olson played a couple games as a 15-year-old affiliate with the Grizzlies, then played full-time as a 16-year-old rookie with the Sicamous Eagles. He had four goals and nine points in 38 games. His time in the KIJHL helped him reach the BCHL by learning at a young age how to play against older, more physical players, and as a result it forced Olson to improve how he played.
Now Olson looks forward to facing highly skilled BCHL competition and the opportunities that come with it. He is the third KIJHL player to be signed by the Centennials, joining by Nelson Leafs Alek Erichuk and Joe Davidson.
