EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – Emery Olauson made a great impression in his first campaign at the helm of the Edmundston Blizzard. The team he guided last season was full of promise on the eve of the playoffs when the pandemic shattered the unfulfilled dream.
With an exceptional 34-9-1-8 record and second overall in Maritime Junior A Hockey League, the Blizzard were consistently ranked among the top 20 teams in the country according to the weekly ranking of the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
And Emery Olauson was instrumental in a team he rebuilt with general manager Steve MacPherson that saw many new players joining the Blizzard. By appointing a captain who came straight from the Quebec collegiate ranks in Tristan Gagnon, Olauson bet big and it turned out to be a real master stroke. Gagnon showed his undeniable leadership by rallying all the players. Many agree that the team chemistry was the best in its short history.
Emery Olauson intends to continue his great job on the eve of his second season behind the Blue and White bench.
” I want to continue to develop my own skills as a coach and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead this season. It has been a long and different off season obviously with COVID, but myself and my family have really enjoyed settling into the area”, mentioned Olauson.
” Our returning players, recruits and prospects make me extremely excited for the potential of the group. I am also very thankful for the sacrifices everyone in our management and ownership have made to make this season possible”, he said.
” It is important to me that the effort we put into this season on the ice represents all of the extra work that was put into making the season possible. This is going to be a Blizzard season to remember and I can’t wait to share all of the excitement with the best fan base in Canadian Jr A hockey! “, concluded Olauson.
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Photo
Emery Olauson will begin his second season behind the Blizzard bench. Photo archives Percy Picard
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone