By: Annie Nadin
For Calgary product Quinn Olson, putting on a Wranglers jersey is more than just another stop on the road of a professional hockey career, it’s a full-circle moment in the city where it all began.
“Being from Calgary and idolizing a lot of Flames players growing up and watching the team growing up, it’s pretty special to be part of the organization now,” said Olson, following his first few days of training camp with the Wranglers.
The 24-year-old forward, selected 92nd overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2019 NHL draft, is eager to make his mark in his hometown.
“I want to play a full 200-foot game, playing both ends of the ice well and being reliable,” he explained.
Olson played five seasons with the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 2019- 2024. As a senior, he appeared in 37 NCAA games, tallying 21 points and serving as an alternate captain for the second straight year.
A product of the AJHL’s Okotoks Oilers, Olson’s return to Calgary comes with a familiarity that’s helped ease the transition into the pro ranks.
“I already know a couple of guys, and a couple of guys are from Calgary as well,” he said. “It’s pretty easy when you’re in the same hotel as them and you get to spend a lot of time with them, so it’s been good.”
That chemistry is taking root both on and off the ice. Olson is rooming with forward Blake Bennett, and the pair, along with a sizable group of teammates, have quickly found a routine away from the rink.
“Me and my roommate, we pretty much go to dinner every night and most of the guys join,” he said. “There’s a big group of us.”
Being a local has made Olson something of an informal tour guide, though he admits there’s still plenty of Calgary left to explore.
“We’ve been to the farmer’s market a couple times,” he laughed. “A lot of us don’t have cars, but we just walked there. Moxie’s is a good one. I mean, I’m from South Calgary, so I don’t really know much about up here. I’ll have to do some exploring.”
While carving out a spot in the Wranglers lineup remains the priority, sharing the experience with family adds another layer of meaning.
“It’s pretty special. My mom and dad both loved getting the news when I was talking to them,” Olson said. “Hopefully we can keep it going.”
His dad has even made it out to the rink to catch some of camp, though he prefers to keep a quiet presence: “He’s pretty laid back. He just watches and lets me do what I want.”
Hockey runs deep in the Olson household, with both of his brothers playing: Kyle still active with the KHL’s Admiral Vladivostok, and Keillan, who played in the SJHL and also with the Oilers in the AJHL, now a firefighter in Calgary.
“Yeah, we’re a pretty big hockey family,” Olson said. “Both brothers played. One’s still playing. The other one played juniors and then he’s a firefighter in Calgary. So everyone’s still in Calgary.”
