ACAC rivalry revived
Dan Olsen didn’t have to wait long to try to correct his past.
The first- year men’s hockey head coach at SAIT will meet the NAIT Ooks in this weekend’s ACAC championship final best- of- three series. Nearly 25 years ago, as an assistant coach with the Trojans, Olsen’s teams dropped two- straight championship finals ( 1991, 1992) to the Ooks, and to say he’s looking for payback would be an understatement.
“It doesn’t seem like that long ago because that’s stuff you don’t forget,” Olsen says. “The series we played against them back then were very intense.
“Everybody was into it; it was incredible. I’ll always remember that.”
NAIT has always been a rival for Olsen, even in his one year of playing defence for the Trojans in the 1986- 87 season.
“Back in those days, they were always the team to beat and I hated playing them because they were big, strong and fast,” he says. “And when I helped coach against them, I always got into it with them from the bench. “I want to beat NAIT.” Olsen will get his chance Friday night in Edmonton when NAIT hosts Game 1 of the series. Game 2 will be played at SAIT Arena on Saturday at 7 p. m. If a Game 3 is needed, NAIT will host that on Sunday evening.
When asked how much the hockey itself has changed since those days, Olsen said there are subtle differences, but the basics remain the same — score more goals than the other team.
“I don’t think it’s changed that much. Back in the old days, I think there was a lot more size,” he explains.
“Teams liked to load up with bigger guys to try to intimidate their opponents.
“Now, there’s a lot more skill throughout your lineup and each guy on your team has to be able to play at this level.”
With 12 ACAC title banners hanging on the wall in SAIT Arena directly behind Olsen during games — including the one won just last season — he admitted he felt pressure to win this year.
“As players, the ultimate goal is to finish the season as a champion and it’s no different as a coach,” says Olsen.
“With as many ACAC titles as we have, that was my goal from the start; don’t be satisfied just coming in and making the playoffs. I wanted to come in here and let those guys know that I want to keep repeating as champions. I want that gold medal.”
Olsen gives praise to his team for getting back to the championship final with a new coach at the helm.
“We did change some things up. There were some differences in how we dealt with players, and a couple of tweaks to the systems, but there wasn’t anyone who rebelled or said that won’t work,” Olsen says. “They all bought in, tried it and we have had success with it so far. We’ll just keep building on that.”
Beating NAIT this weekend would no doubt cap a successful first year behind the bench for Olsen, and it would go a long way to help conceal the nearly quarter of a century- long scars he still wears to this day. But to hear him tell it, this weekend is not for him alone.
“Not only for myself, but for the guys who are leaving us this year,” Olsen says about the possibility of winning. “If we win, for me it’s a bonus to an already great year, but I definitely want for those guys who are leaving to go out being successful.”