Olausson Focusing on Growth at His First Development Camp

Oskar Olausson is a familiar name to many Colorado Avalanche fans since the 18-year-old was selected by the organization in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Coming off his draft year, the Stockholm, Sweden native signed a three-year, entry-level contract on August 6 with the Avalanche, a few weeks ahead of the organization's development camp.
Olausson is now getting his first taste of what life is like in Colorado's pending the week in Denver at Colorado's 2021 development camp ahead of the Rookie Faceoff in Scottsdale, Arizona. The right wing is the only member of his draft class to compete in the tournament.

Following the forwards first skate on Avalanche ice Sunday morning, he spoke on the experience at the team's media availability concluding morning practice.
"It was tough, I have to adapt to the altitude," said Olausson. "It's tough now in the beginning and I haven't been on the ice for one and a half weeks, but it's nice to compete and do it again."

Brian Willsie, the Avalanche's director of player development, also spoke on Olausson attending development camp.
"We are super excited to have him here at camp," Willsie said. "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 and to expose him to what we are all about--our habits, our characteristics, the way we play the game. Just to get him in here and not having a development camp after the draft, it is a huge advantage for him and just for us to get eyes on him. Where he lands after training camp remains to be seen."
Olausson is likely to spend the next season with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League. The Colts selected him in the second round (118th overall) of the 2021 CHL Import Draft Selection this past June.

The forward made his debut in the Swedish Hockey League, the top professional hockey league in Sweden, during the 2020-21 campaign and recorded four points (three goals, one assist) in 16 games for HV71. He began the year with HV71's team in J20 Nationell, Sweden's junior league, and collected 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists) in 16 games before joining the senior team.
Regardless of where he spends this next season, Olausson will continue to develop his skillset and adapt to the North American game.