Adrian Dater
The English language of Oskar Olausson is getting better. Like his overall game in hockey, he’s working hard at it. But for the next three weeks or so, the Colorado Avalanche first-round draft choice in 2021 will primarily get to speak in his native Swedish tongue, as a member of Sweden’s World Junior team that will participate in the upcoming tournament, held in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait,” Olausson told Colorado Hockey Now.
For Olausson, a native of Stockholm, this has been the first year in which he’s lived away from home. As a forward with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, Olausson has had a tremendous season so far in his first year playing on the smaller North American ice sheets. In 22 games for Barrie, Olausson has 12 goals and 25 points.
He’s taking a break from the Colts, however. On Wednesday, Olausson departed Barrie to join his new Swedish World Junior teammates, in preparation for the tournament, which starts Dec. 26 and ends Jan. 5. For Olausson, who only turned 19 last month, the chance to commune with his countrymen, and try to win a gold medal, will be a nice taste of home, in a way. He admits he’s been a bit homesick at times, but is quick to add that he’s greatly benefited from playing with Barrie and getting used to the North American-style game that he wants to keep playing at the next level, which would be pro hockey with the Avs.
“I’ve really learned a lot here with Barrie, on and off the ice,” said Olausson, a 6-1, 180, left-shot right wing. “I’m glad I made the decision to play here. I just have to keep working hard at different parts of my game.”
Olausson had a sizzling start to the season with the Colts, and while he’s cooled off some of late, he’s still projected ahead of the curve in his pro development. His coach with the Colts, Marty Williamson, told CHN two weeks ago that he expects Olausson to be a junior player for only one season, before turning pro with either the Avs or Colorado Eagles.
Technically, Olausson could join the Avalanche for this season’s playoffs. He could play up to nine games, but if he played a 10th, the first year of his entry-level contract would kick in – making it highly unlikely the Avs would do it. Then again, the Avs did that with Wojtek Wolski in 2006, playing him eight games in the postseason after spending the regular season with the Brampton Battalion of the OHL.
Olausson said he has “no stress” about when he might turn pro, saying “it’s up to Colorado.”
He knows he has much more work to do before anyone can take seriously the thought of him becoming a pro player.
“I need to get bigger, stronger, faster,” Olausson said. “I need to keep working on my game away from the puck.”
One thing Olausson was blessed with is a quick, hard, accurate shot. He has shown it with the Colts, and he even showed it in a preseason game with the Avs this year, scoring a pretty goal in a game at Minnesota.
The Avs will be keeping a close eye on his game the rest of the season, including at the World Juniors.
For now, it’s time to have some fun with his Swedish friends again – and maybe come away with some gold around his neck.
“It’s going to be tough, so many good teams,” Olausson said. “But it’s going to be fun playing in such a big tournament.”