{"id":828729,"date":"2025-02-21T12:13:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T18:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/21\/saskatoon-blades-opportunity-knocks-for-youngsters-like-zach-olsen\/"},"modified":"2025-02-21T12:13:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-21T18:13:00","slug":"saskatoon-blades-opportunity-knocks-for-youngsters-like-zach-olsen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/21\/saskatoon-blades-opportunity-knocks-for-youngsters-like-zach-olsen\/","title":{"rendered":"Saskatoon Blades: Opportunity knocks for youngsters like Zach Olsen"},"content":{"rendered":"<article aria-labelledby=\"articleTitle\" data-wcm-id=\"18773675-d9e3-4029-b7c8-7f04705f047f\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>A youth movement at the WHL trade deadline and a recent spate of injuries give 16-year-old rookie Zach Olsen an chance to take a bigger role.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span>Published Feb 06, 2025<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>Last updated Feb 06, 2025<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span>4 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=aZrN-3QeGA6qK0p0s9ceCA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=rABq3UFEy2ilmSgyjXL7Xg 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=ZO_QEZeB1Xujo-optyiadg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=GW2SlhTrXgXgIkTG-SCpGA 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=nEmSJ38pItqYm4w7Z8Q8cA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=0EXkYUjAIKRcJmExLhz7dQ 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=noOik5pjk6qNZTMEU25Q7g, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=HXcvBYsSlLSSnR5_RKgguA 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=yOsber6TEVwyOgAA1THibg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=waH-noz4p2z2vDPjpIlqew 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Saskatoon Blades rookie Zach Olsen\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=_lMVjxH1wt9XvIxqGjc8Cg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=_lMVjxH1wt9XvIxqGjc8Cg,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0922-sports-blades-hockey-77.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=2sYXpheC1kPMrYf10EEmfg 2x\" height=\"750\" width=\"1000\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Saskatoon Blades forward Zach Olsen (45) takes on the Swift Current Broncos during the WHL home opener at SaskTel Centre. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Saturday, September 21, 2024.<\/span> <span>Photo by Michelle Berg<\/span> \/<span>Saskatoon StarPhoenix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section>\n<p>The time is now for Saskatoon Blades youngsters like Zach Olsen.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>A youth movement at the Western Hockey League trade deadline, together with a recent spate of injuries, are giving the 16-year-old rookie ample opportunity to step up into a bigger role.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith less bodies, guys are trying to step up and prove themselves to the coaching staff so it\u2019s been good,\u201d said Olsen, a 6-foot-1, 188-pound forward from Calgary who was taken in the second round, 29th overall, of the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Star Phoenix\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-ssp-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div data-auth-component id=\"auth-screen-form\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<h2>Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span><\/span><span>or<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been nice just getting more ice time and stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Olsen, who scored in Sunday\u2019s win over the Moose Jaw Warriors, now has seven goals and nine assists for 16 points in 42 games.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are opportunities for other guys to step up (due to injury) so we\u2019ll see where we\u2019re at Friday when the puck drops, as far as guys coming back,\u201d said Blades head coach Dan DaSilva, adding that a young player like Olsen can be used in different roles.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cZach is a guy where he can play fourth-line right wing or first-line right wing. He goes out there and plays the same way every single night. He\u2019s gotten a fair amount of ice time during the course of the year and he\u2019s come on and really developed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cZach\u2019s role on the team is to provide energy every single night, use his speed, use his power, his strength. He\u2019s a power forward in our eyes. He\u2019s done a great job on the wing and he\u2019s very consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Blades are now 25-16-3-3 with 56 points. That puts them second in the East Division, two points back of the Prince Albert Raiders, and fifth overall in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019re starting to build some chemistry within our team now,\u201d points out Olsen. \u201cWe\u2019ve got a bunch of new guys. It\u2019s nice getting the wins for sure and building up some confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>As a rookie, Olsen is left trying to build chemistry on a new team for a second time after a big roster shakeup at the trade deadline.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a little hard, but it\u2019s pretty easy because we just go through all the systems again and stuff like that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt has been a little challenging. I have hit the wall, but now I\u2019m starting to get the juice back \u2026 I think we\u2019re going to be a resilient group moving on here. We\u2019ve just got to stick to the systems and everything will come. You just need chemistry within the lineup. You need to be able to play with different guys.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Blades have 21 games remaining in the regular-season schedule, including 10 games on home ice.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll have to see where we stack up against these teams that are playoff teams,\u201d admitted DaSilva.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor us, it\u2019s all about the work, the compete and getting effort and having everyone \u2014 20 guys \u2014 pulling the rope for 60 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019ll visit the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday before hosting the Regina Pats on Saturday night (7 p.m.) at SaskTel Centre.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe games are obviously huge this time of year, as they have been all year,\u201d DaSilva said. \u201cWe\u2019re always focused on the process of getting better every day. We took a good step last weekend, I thought.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cObviously the results (two wins) were there, finally, after the disappointing P.A. weekend where we thought we played pretty well and deserved better, but didn\u2019t get the results. The guys are feeling pretty good to get four points, but the process is still the same. We\u2019re trying to get better every single day as a team here.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a tough test with Brandon and coming back to our rink Saturday after a tough travel (day).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>DaSilva continues to see more and more chemistry each week from the new-look Blades, who have added six newcomers to the lineup and said goodbye to some key veterans.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am, not only on the ice but off as well. This group is gelling, they\u2019re coming together,\u201d DaSilva said. \u201cThey\u2019ve gotten to know each other for the past month after the post-trade deadline and so they\u2019re really coming together. We\u2019re starting to see the systems on the ice kind of come into play here and they\u2019ve definitely done a better job in that area.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-async><a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"<span \n                data-original-string='oTfGvnjhrEeJQmN+oKZysA==7f4Fh79LkDJ23zco1SqWCECPB2RBeyYpt1SEKKdPHly6Sg='\n                class='apbct-email-encoder'\n                title='This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.'>dz<span class=\"apbct-blur\">***<\/span>@<span class=\"apbct-blur\">*******<\/span>ia.com<\/span>&#8220;, &#8220;layout_section&#8221;: &#8220;in-page-link&#8221;}&#8221; data-evt=&#8221;click&#8221; data-evt-typ=&#8221;click&#8221; href=&#8221;http:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/mailto:dz***@*******ia.com&#8221; data-original-string=&#8221;6ecQGOKeXaq7Y2IAUmk3mw==7f4PDqmbdKZoYfoDvOsAKln2qScKfogSSE1FZym1VMPqE4=&#8221; title=&#8221;This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.&#8221;><span \n                data-original-string='gCF0uhHIk1tGyRlOtHr0JQ==7f4CE3XuFSou11mg8srg0A1l9fXZopjLSv\/FJMTsbm6p3I='\n                class='apbct-email-encoder'\n                title='This contact has been encoded by Anti-Spam by CleanTalk. Click to decode. To finish the decoding make sure that JavaScript is enabled in your browser.'>dz<span class=\"apbct-blur\">***<\/span>@<span class=\"apbct-blur\">*******<\/span>ia.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<section aria-labelledby=\"moreTopicLabel9638173794724040072230219945082880\" data-aqa=\"embed-more-topic\" data-carousel-component data-carousel-icon-button data-carousel-type=\"list\">\n<p>Recommended from Editorial<\/p>\n<ol data-carousel-slide-list tabindex=\"0\">\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"Les Lazaruk: The Voice of the Saskatoon Blades\", \"widget_title\": \"recommended-from-editorial\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/the-voice-of-the-blades-les-lazaruk-talks-up-a-good-hockey-game\", \"target_article_title\": \"Les Lazaruk: The Voice of the Saskatoon Blades\", \"target_article_id\": \"d9cb0af7-a465-4e45-a9e6-bfc5f623aaf2\", \"target_article_position\": \"0\", \"layout_section\": \"recommended-from-editorial\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/the-voice-of-the-blades-les-lazaruk-talks-up-a-good-hockey-game\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Saskatoon Blades broadcast announcer Les Lazaruk sits with his bobblehead in the announcers box at SaskTel Centre. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0130-sports-blades-announcer-09.jpg?h=96&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=dqPeBKQEdGpS6SUtKFYMUQ\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0130-sports-blades-announcer-09.jpg?h=96&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=dqPeBKQEdGpS6SUtKFYMUQ, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0130-sports-blades-announcer-09.jpg?h=192&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=cafBERcz6DU3oFuM-7EjFQ 2x,\n                                             https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0130-sports-blades-announcer-09.jpg?h=288&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=BlBxWW3eFE_QVAJNPzm87w 3x\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"><\/picture>\n<p><span>Les Lazaruk: The Voice of the Saskatoon Blades<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"data_source\": \"data_source\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"widget_title\": \"widget_title\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"target_article_title\": \"target_article_title\", \"target_article_id\": \"target_article_id\", \"target_article_position\": \"target_article_position\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"widget-list\", \"data_source\": \"editorial\", \"anchor_text\": \"Revamped Blades searching for results, and wins\", \"widget_title\": \"recommended-from-editorial\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/new-look-saskatoon-blades-searching-for-winning-results\", \"target_article_title\": \"Revamped Blades searching for results, and wins\", \"target_article_id\": \"d64dbb2f-c8ae-4069-9e74-29f599d0928f\", \"target_article_position\": \"1\", \"layout_section\": \"recommended-from-editorial\"}\" data-carousel-item data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/new-look-saskatoon-blades-searching-for-winning-results\"> <picture><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SASKATOON, Sask. - Jan 15, 2025 - Saskatoon Blades' defence Isaac Poll (13) and William James (72) before a game against Portland Winterhawks during WHL action at SaskTel Centre. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0116-sports-blades-hockey-74.jpg?h=96&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=X5DrxAcc4NQin0c3D3fZgQ\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0116-sports-blades-hockey-74.jpg?h=96&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=X5DrxAcc4NQin0c3D3fZgQ, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0116-sports-blades-hockey-74.jpg?h=192&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=vyGGWnp4dNDr5c7O18R3_w 2x,\n                                             https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/0116-sports-blades-hockey-74.jpg?h=288&#038;strip=all&#038;quality=80&#038;sig=sMF9cusoWTSI3tEdrwB6Pg 3x\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"><\/picture>\n<p><span>Revamped Blades searching for results, and wins<\/span><\/p>\n<p> <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<p><em>The Saskatoon Star Phoenix has created an\u00a0<strong>Afternoon Headlines<\/strong>\u00a0newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day.\u00a0Click <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"here\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/newsletters\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/newsletters\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> to subscribe. <\/p>\n<p> With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"thestarphoenix.com\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/www.thestarphoenix.com\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestarphoenix.com\" target=\"_blank\">thestarphoenix.com<\/a> and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"here\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/newsletters\/\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/newsletters\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a> to subscribe.<\/p>\n<p><\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p> Darren Zary, Saskatoon StarPhoenix<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/saskatoon-blades-opportunity-knocks-for-youngsters-like-zach-olsen\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A youth movement at the WHL trade deadline and a recent spate of injuries give 16-year-old rookie Zach Olsen an chance to take a bigger role. Published Feb 06, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated Feb 06, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read Saskatoon Blades forward Zach Olsen (45) takes on the Swift Current Broncos during the WHL<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":828730,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[112434,43824],"tags":[116558,43823],"class_list":["post-828729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blades","category-saskatoon","tag-blades","tag-saskatoon"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=828729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/828729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/828730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=828729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=828729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=828729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}