RR hockey player invited to play in elite tournament

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Rainy River’s Kyle Olson is one of only 136 players selected to compete at the 32nd Ted Brill Minnesota “Great 8” High School Hockey Festive March 22-24, 2013.
Olson, a high school senior, has been playing hockey since he was very young. He first skated at the age of 3 and participated in Rainy River Figure Skating for a year before joining youth hockey.
This year he completed his high school career between the pipes with the Lake of the Woods Bears High School Hockey team in Baudette, MN.
Olson had a stellar year, finishing as one of the top ten goal-tenders in Minnesota High School Hockey. He had a .925 save average!
To put the icing on the cake, he has been invited to the Great 8 event next week. The event provides graduating seniors with the opportunity to display their talents and skills for advanced levels of hockey. There are eight teams from all state sections of hockey with A and AA teams pairing up.
Players are nominated by their coaches and all coaches vote on who will ultimately be invited to go.
Olson, who turns 18 this month, will compete on the section 8A/8AA team. Their first game is 6:30 p.m. on March 22nd. All games are held at the Wakota Arena in South St. Paul, MN.
The event has and will continue to generate exposure for players that have future potential in the game. Scouts will be at the event.
While in grade 9 Olson tried out for a AAA Bemidji Summer team called The Loons and was selected to play. He did so for two summers.
Olson will be graduating this spring and his mom, Janice, says Kyle, “Has plans on becoming and electrician apprentice....not quite sure about hockey after this tournament. He is very honored and excited to have been chosen for the great 8 and is looking forward to it as it could be his last high school hockey experience!”
Kyle is the son of Janice and Scott Olson of Rainy River.