MADISON, Wis. – The entire Western Collegiate Hockey Association family today mourns the passing of Bruce Olson, former head women's hockey coach at Bemidji State University. Olson, who was just 55, fought a courageous battle against cancer.
"We are all tremendously saddened by the loss of Coach Olson,"said Sara R. Martin, WCHA Associate Commissioner and head of the women's league. "He was a great coach, teacher and leader of student-athletes and he will always be an important part of the legacy of women's ice hockey at the collegiate level. We send our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to his entire family at this most difficult time."
Olson was named head coach of the Bemidji State women's team beginning with the 2002-03 season and went on to lead the Beavers for three and a half seasons through mid-December of the 2005-06 campaign. Prior to arriving at BSU, Olson fashioned a highly-successful career at the high school level that spanned more than two decades and included coaching stints at both Minot HS and Roseau HS. He took a leave of absence from Roseau HS in 1999-2000, spending that year working on a master's degree at the University of North Dakota. During that year, he also took over head coaching duties for the UND women's ice hockey club team, helping set the stage for the elevation of the UND program to Division 1 status in 2002. As an athlete, Olson played collegiate hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth from 1975-79, skating in 137 games as a forward with 93 scoring points.
For additional information, please visit: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bruceolson1
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