Avalanche 2021 first-round draft pick Oskar Olausson, an 18-year-old Swede, will live in North America for the first time this hockey season. The winger, who originally said he would return to Sweden for 2021-22, is pegged to play for major junior’s Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.
The 20-under Colts drafted him in the second round (118th overall) of the Canadian Hockey League import draft in June. In July, the Avs made him the 28th selection of the NHL draft, and although Olausson at the time said he expected to return to Sweden for 2021-22, Colorado signed him to his three-year entry-level contract in August and also convinced him to sign with Barrie.
“I think Colorado wants me to go to Barrie,” Olausson said Sunday after Day 1 of development/rookie camp at Family Sports Center. “Colorado, they own me and can do what they want.”
Olausson, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, is one of the main attractions at this week’s camp, which leads into a weekend rookie showcase against five other NHL clubs in Glendale and Scottsdale, Ariz. Justin Barron, the Avs’ 2020 first-round pick (25th overall), and 2019 first-rounders Bo Byram (No. 4) and Alex Newhook (No. 16) are also in the camp.
By playing in North America instead of Sweden, Olausson will likely remain with the Avs through a good portion of regular training camp, which will begin around Sept. 22.
“We’re super excited to have him here at camp,” Brian Willsie, the Avs’ director of amateur development. “Having the development camp this late we obviously lose out on our NCAA prospects and our European prospects, but to be able to sign him and get him in this to expose him to what we’re all about — our habits, our characteristics, the way we play the game, it’s a huge advantage for him, and for us to get eyes on him.”
A handful of other Avalanche top prospects cannot attend this week’s camp because they are still amateurs committed to their college teams. That list begins with 2019 second-rounder Drew Helleson of Boston College and 2021 second-rounder Sean Behrens of the University of Denver.
Despite not having those guys, among others, Willsie said this week’s camp is off to an impressive start.
“We’re happy with the group as a whole. Everybody is in top shape,” he said. “Usually, we get them in July and they’re in their mid-summer form. This time of year they’re at the top of their game so it’s exciting to see.”
The camp, which is free and open to the public, continues Monday morning (two groups, 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.), and includes a full team practice at 2:45 p.m.
