Player Overiew
One of the more peppy and intriguing prospects of the 2021 class, Everett Silvertips’ defenseman Olen Zellweger is for me one who has suffered substantially from the WHL’s stoppage of play. Zellweger was sure to build off of a fantastic 16-year old season where he was able to notch 12 points over 53 games on a crowded and talented blue-line. 2019-20 would also see him represent Canada Red at the Under-17 World Hockey Challenge.
Zellweger is a pleasure to view, there is a grace and fluidity to his game which reminds me stylistically of young Colorado star Samuel Girard. With the disruption that is Covid-19, we may not see exactly what he would have been capable of in season 2020/21, but he’s not to be slept on as I sense 2021/22 will be huge for him drafted or otherwise.
Luckily for me, I was able to ask Olen a few questions once my report was completed. He was able to confirm a few of my thoughts and also provided a great insight into his mentality.
The Skating And Elusiveness
To say Zellweger is elusive would be an understatement, the confidence exuded in handling the puck under pressure is utterly ridiculous at times. His deft edge work, low centre of gravity and ability to handle in tight allows him to absorb checks below the goal-line and escape from the pressure up ice. He doesn’t show any signs of hesitation on the puck and despite his smaller size, he doesn’t shy away from bigger, stronger opponents bearing down on him. This due to two things; an absolute understanding of his strengths as a skater and his willingness to stretch the space in the defensive zone by forcing attackers to commit to him down low. Of course awareness of what’s around you is key here too, but the ability to covet space has natural appearance; somewhat robotic but innovative.
Olen said in regards to his skating and elusiveness: “I feel I can trust my strengths a lot and know I am capable of creating time and space with my skating. Like you said somewhat robotic but innovative, I agree. I think I use my instincts and hockey senses well, reading information and making what I think is the best decision available.”
What are the results of these actions?
Usually very good. Not only is Zellweger fleet of foot and clean at exiting the zone via passes through middle ice, he’s got a propensity to do something that I wish more defenders would do; use the boards as an aid.
Once Zellweger is able to separate from the forecheck pressure he tends to move the puck quickly to try and expose any numerical or personnel advantage. As a young player (5 days away from the 2022 NHL Draft cut off) he isn’t afraid to exit the zone with some zest and swagger but I like the fact that the risks he takes aren’t usually ones that can lend themselves to being egregious. This reverts back to my comment about him being frequently using the boards to assist in exiting the zone and creating offense.
Zellweger in my viewings hasn’t shown a tendency to spew pucks into dangerous areas when pressured or in space. He processes what is ahead quickly, makes good risk assessments and executes his play. This is where the boards come in. Out of all the defenders I’ve viewed for 2021, only Brandt Clarke in my opinion utilises the boards in an offensive manner more effectively.
As we can see here in this clip below against Portland, he’s able to make a two-line pass to Justyn Gurney through two Winterhawks bodies that almost results in a goal.
Again, great usage of the boards on a long dish to Lee.
And again.
These are smart, low-risk plays with near perfect results. Using the boards properly and effectively reduces turnover percentages and cuts the ice surface down dramatically. Whilst they aren’t plays you can make shift-to-shift, Zellweger makes them when needed and when he sees fit. Again, it’s a good risk associated with potentially better reward. But he’s not just a flashy passer along the boards, he can make the ‘usual’ outlet passes too.
What Olen had to say on his usage of the boards creatively: “It has been something I’ve used for a while now, however this season I found myself using them more because of both my coaches teaching it and the speed of the game increased and forechecks are better so I think it was a effective way to beat them.”
One-on-One Defense
Whilst he may not be a six-foot-three physical specimen Zellweger uses his skating, anticipation and angles in combination with his relative strength rather well. Nine out of ten times Zellweger will win the foot race to loose pucks.
When forced to engage in the corners or along the boards, he is a great exponent of jamming his direct opponent with his stick and uses his upper body as leverage to contain. Zellweger likes to be physical and is strong for his size, there isn’t an evident ‘small guy’ mindset where he will favour to sit away from scrums and avoid puck battles. Another aspect of his defensive play that I find enjoyable is his ability to absorb hits and retain the puck against bigger peers.
Olen on his strength and physical mindset: “I think I’m really strong for a guy my size and I really take pride in wall battles as well as my off season training.”
One-on-one he isn’t always going to have adequate room to escape and make frabjous plays nor is he always going to be strong enough to burst through contact, so being able to negate a forecheck and not create turnovers is imperative to future success being a smaller defender.
Being shifty allows for Zellweger to float somewhat positionally. I wouldn’t say that he is bad in terms of positioning nor elite. His athleticism and understanding of angles and how close on attackers works at this level, he does a great job of reading opposing forwards and sharking passes in both the defensive and neutral zones. All of this mixed together lays the platform for a good defensive base at the next level.
I asked Olen: “You’re a superior skater to many of your peers, how much confidence does that give you float somewhat and be able to activate more in the neutral zone looking to disrupt play? You’re closing speed, angling and ability to track back and pursuit must give you some more leash as such to pressure the forecheck and neutral zone?”
Olen’s response: “I think it really allows me to be aggressive in the neutral zone and step up, it gives me more opportunities in the offensive zone as well. Being confident in those areas is important especially for recovering pucks. This upcoming season I think a combination of more confidence and improved skating and skills I will be even better at angling and neutral zone play.”
Time spent learning how to position himself in different schemes and some more balance to his aggressive playing style can only help, but I don’t see him as a liability now or as he progresses. His skating, decision making and aptness for the eye-catching play are all at good levels already. Adding some strength to help with one-on-one battles and to have some more strength when on the puck will only see him rise to higher levels.
Zellweger is trusted enough to log penalty kill minutes and proves not only to be competent, but his explosiveness and thirst for the puck make for a dangerous concoction for teams on the advantage.
Offensive Toolkit
Zellweger can really hammer the puck, it’s noticeable to say the least. One or two strides, a quick violent release and the puck is on net in a flash.
Everett plays a very fast direct game courtesy of some very clean puck movers such as Zellweger, Seeley and Puutio. There isn’t a heavy cycle game outside of offensive zone faceoffs and even when in that situation they tend to take quick shots and rely on a good net front presence and quick movements around the circles more so. Zellweger when given the chance to operate at the blue-line running the point shows the same tenacity, skill and acumen that he does in his own zone. He uses subtle head fakes and freezes defenders with his clever edge work, allowing Zellweger to skate into space and look to unload a shot or advantageous pass.
His passing in the offensive zone is good, he likes to work along the half walls looking to find lanes cross-ice or for players cycling down low and at the net front.
He’s a great asset on the powerplay in sheltered minutes and should see more time as he continues his WHL career.
Conclusion
Zellweger may not get the platform to showcase the elevation in his play this season, even if he the WHL were to restart sooner than later it would only allow improvements to be viewed in a paucity of games.
Zellweger has a very good offensive toolkit that continues to shine and improve. Defensively he will continue to work on his deficiencies, but it’s a translatable structure. I view Zellweger’s ceiling as a very capable middle/bottom pairing defender at the NHL level with good scoring upside especially if given powerplay opportunities.
Zellweger is rated a ‘C’ prospect on NHL Central Scouting’s List. I have Zellweger in my 50-62 tier.
A huge thanks must go to Olen for spending the time to answer my questions, true champion.
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