Hitmen add leadership in trade for Olson

The Calgary Hitmen have added leadership for the home stretch of the 2019-20 WHL season.

On Thursday, they acquired 20-year-old forward Kyle Olson from the Tri-city Americans in exchange for 20-year-old forward James Malm, a second-round pick in the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2022.

“Kyle has a tireless motor who provides a different dynamic to our forward group,” said Hitmen general manager Jeff Chynoweth. “He was the captain of the Americans, can play both centre and the wing and is a proven scorer in our league. We would also like to thank James for his time in Calgary and wish him all the best with the Americans.”

The 5-foot-11, 178-pound Olson has tallied 169 points (53 goals, 116 assists) in 205 career games over five seasons with the Americans while adding 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 19 playoff matches.

Olson was a fourth-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2017 NHL Draft but is now a free agent. He was originally selected by the Tri-city Americans in the thirdround of the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft.

This trade brings Olson back to his home city, where he starred in the Blackfoot Minor Hockey Association. During that time he was named CO-MVP of the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League after notching 80 points (39 goals, 41 assists) in 33 games as a member of the Calgary Bisons in 2013-14.

Olson also suited up at the 2017 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, in which he finished tied for third in team scoring with three points (two goals, one assist) in five games.