The Prince George Cougars have taken another important step in building a strong on-ice product.
On Tuesday, the Cats signed defenceman Tate Olson to a standard Western Hockey League contract. Olson became the third player from the 2012 bantam draft class to scrawl his name on the dotted line. The others are second-overall pick Jansen Harkins and seventh-overall selection Brad Morrison. Both are highly-skilled centremen.
Olson, from Saskatoon, was chosen by the Cats in the second round, 24th overall. Last season with the Saskatoon Stallions, he had 21 goals and 50 points in 36 games.
"It's helpful knowing that I'm signed and that I'll have a great chance to play in Prince George," Olson said. "There's going to be some added pressure on me at training camp, but that is something that I'm comfortable with."
Training camp starts Aug. 24 at CN Centre.
Olson, Harkins and Morrison all participated in the recent Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp in Mississauga, Ont. The elite hockey development camp was led by former NHL forward Gary Roberts and was by invitation only. The three young Cats were among 42 players from across the country who were asked to attend.
Last season, the Cougars finished last in the WHL's Western Conference with a 24-46-0-2 record.
