The Columbia Valley Rockies are excited to announce Emery Olauson as their new Head Coach and General Manager. Olauson has signed a long-term contract to guide the Rockies over the coming years.
Rockies sponsors, fans, and players are delighted to welcome Olauson and his family (wife Lauren, children Porter, Anders and Bodhi) to the Rockies family.
“Having Emery join our team and be such a key leader is a continuation of the efforts we started as a board five years ago focusing on culture and commitment,” said Rockies President Brett Holt. “We are excited to see the team continue its tremendous success and achieve the next level both on and off-the-ice under Emery’s leadership.”
Olauson best summed up his commitment to taking the Rockies culture to the next level when he said, “as a culture creator, it is important to me to maximize and empower team members and staff alike to build an environment that is conducive to improving every day, focusing on the process rather than the result.”
Olauson brings over 19 years of hockey experience to Columbia Valley and possesses significant skills in the recruitment, development, and advancement processes. His network has grown in each area giving him valuable contacts and connections both in student-athletes entering the college level and professional ranks where they aspire to go.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Columbia Valley Rockies organization and am looking forward to working with the staff to provide the best player development possible,” said Olauson. “My family is also extremely excited to have the opportunity to call such a beautiful place home and we are all looking forward to joining the community.”
Olauson’s most recent role was as Head Coach and Assistant General Manager for the Edmunston Blizzard of the MHL, where he amassed a record of 65-27-2-14 (.676 winning percentage) having achieved much success, including delivering the best regular season marks in franchise history. He is most proud of the number of athletes he helped advance to higher levels, including NCAA Division 1 commitments and scholarships that were the first in team history.
Prior to Edmunston, Olauson was Head Coach and General Manager of the St. Stephen Aces of the MHL, and has previous KIJHL experience as Head Coach and General Manager of the Grand Forks Border Bruins. He also held Coach and Director of Operations positions with the Fayetteville FireAntz and Assistant Coach of the Flin Flon Bombers.
Olauson has professional playing experience in the CHL/SPHL with more than 500 games played and achieved 400 career points in the Central Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League. He is currently ranked fifth all-time in SPHL points record and holds the Knoxville IceBears single season goal record (44 goals, 44 assists in 2012).
