Next up is a couple of lower-ranked draftees playing in the NCHC.
Quinn Olson is going into his third year with the University of Minnesota-Duluth, while Jake Schmaltz is gearing up for his first season at the University of North Dakota.
Quinn Olson – University of Minnesota-Duluth
Quinn Olson is entering his junior season with Minnesota-Duluth this fall. After being a point-per-player in the AJHL, Olson’s offense hasn’t quite transitioned to the NCAA level.
After a 15-point freshman campaign, Olson decreased to 11 points in three less games. He has a total of 28 points in 59 games with the Bulldogs. However, he’s developed into more of a two-way player on a stacked UMD team.
In the exhibition game on Sunday against Wisconsin, Olson lined up as the third-line left winger, playing alongside Dominic James and Luke Loheit (Ottawa Senators draft pick). Olson needs to take the next step forward this season, as he’s an upperclassmen with experience at the college level. The improvements needs to start.
Jake Schmaltz – University of North Dakota
Another Bruins prospect going into his first year in college, Jake Schmaltz is the Bruins’ seventh-round selection from 2019. He spent the last two seasons in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers, playing with Mason Lohrei. He finished with 53 points in 51 games last season, totaling 85 points in 91 career games with the Gamblers.
Jake Schmaltz, Boston’s 2019 seventh-round pick, calls game just 20 seconds into OT and scores a beautiful goal. Off the draw, Lohrei dropped back, passed forward and then Schmaltz went to work with a great individual effort. Schmaltz is up to 11G-23A-34PTS in 26GP. #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/WBZnsRwkE6
— Bruins Network (@BruinsNetwork) February 20, 2021
Schmaltz centered the second line for North Dakota in its exhibition matchup with Bemidji State on Saturday. He skated alongside Riese Gaber and Judd Caufield (Penguins draft pick). With North Dakota losing its top five scorers from last season, Brad Berry could give Schmaltz a top-line role if in return, the Bruins prospect can answer the bell.