Steelheads sign Olver for another three years
May 23, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Steelheads announced today they have signed Head Coach and Vice President of Hockey Operations John Olver to a three-year contract extension. Per club policy, additional terms of the contract will not be disclosed. Olver was originally hired by the Steelheads on May 27th, 2000.
Steelheads Vice President of Business Operations Eric Trapp said, "We're thrilled to have John back for another three years, and we also hope we can bring the magic back from our championship year in 2004."
"I'm extremely happy to do what I love in a city that my family and I have come to love," said Olver. "The Treasure Valley is our home, the Idaho Steelheads is a great organization, and I look forward to the opportunity to continuing the success of the team for our fans and community."
Olver has an accomplished coaching career, but would probably consider bringing home the Kelly Cup National Championship in the Idaho Steelheads' inaugural ECHL season (2004) his biggest accomplishment. He inked affiliation agreements with the NHL Dallas Stars and AHL Utah Grizzlies resulting in an ever-changing roster due to call ups, and triumphed in perhaps his most challenging season ever.
The four-time West Coast Hockey League (WCHL) Coach of the Year had just come off a record-breaking year in his third season with Idaho. With an all-time WCHL coaching record of 310-122-43, Olver had been named WCHL Coach of the Year four times, three with Tacoma and once with Idaho.
During his first season with Idaho, the Steelheads broke franchise records for wins (47), points (98), and captured their first-ever Northern Division title. In his second season, Olver led the Steelheads to another franchise points record (102), and its first Founders Cup Trophy. In the 2002-03 season, he finished with a second consecutive Founder's Cup, the best record in franchise history (52-16-4), and the best home record of any North American professional hockey team. In six years (prior to 2002-03) as a WCHL head coach (Fresno, Tacoma, Idaho), Olver led his team to the Taylor Cup Finals every season, winning the Cup in 1998-99 with Tacoma. Olver also co-coached the WCHL All-Star Team in both 1998-99 (vs Team Canada) and 1999-00 (vs Central Hockey League All-Stars).
Olver coached 13 years at the amateur level compiling a 240-76-10 record. His coaching career began in 1981 with the New Westminster Royals of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and continued in the major junior Western Hockey League with the New Westminster Bruins and Tri-City Americans.
A native of British Columbia, Olver played for Kelowna in the BCJHL and he still holds the Buckaroos' career scoring record. He received a scholarship to the University of Michigan where he played from 1978-80. Drafted in the eighth round (125th overall) by the Colorado Rockies of the National Hockey League in 1978, Olver elected to forego his playing career to concentrate on coaching.
Olver, his wife, Diana, and their three children, Darin, Mark and Breanne reside in Boise.
A variety of season ticket plans are currently on sale for the 2005-06 season by calling (208) 383-0080. Next season's schedule is expected to be announced in the next couple of weeks.
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