Olsen rejoins Wichita

Action photo of Dylan Olsen of the Wichita Thunder

WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita Thunder, ECHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Edmonton Oilers and American Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors, announced the signing of defenseman Dylan Olsen for the 2021-22 season.

Olsen returns to Wichita after not playing last season. A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, the 30-year-old was a first-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks (28th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He brings plenty of experience to the Thunder blue line, having played in over 450 professional games, including 124 in the NHL with Chicago and Florida.

He began the 2019-20 season overseas with HK Nitra (Slovakia) before returning to the states and joining the South Carolina Stingrays. Wichita claimed him off waivers in February and he appeared in four games for the Thunder. In 2018-19, he played for the Elite Ice Hockey League's Nottingham Panthers, where he collected 19 points (8g-11a) in 46 games.

Olsen made his NHL debut during the 2011-12 season with the Blackhawks and appeared in 28 games. The following year, he played for Chicago's AHL affiliate in Rockford, tallying 11 points (2g-9a) in 50 games. In 2013-14, he made it back to the NHL with the Florida Panthers where he registered 12 points (3g-9a) in 44 games.

In nine professional seasons, Olsen has also played in 222 American Hockey League games with Rockford, San Antonio, Portland and Binghamton.