Springfield, Illinois – The Springfield Jr. Blues have pushed a fair amount of players onto the professional level including Mike McKenna, Brian McCullough, and Greg Rallo. But in the last couple of weeks, three additional alumni have also transitioned to the professional ranks.
Ross Olsson signed an Amateur Tryout Contract with the Worcester Railers of the ECHL this past week. In 94 games at Endicott College (NCAA DIII), Olsson put up 55 goals, 79 assists, 23 power-play goals, 3 shorthanded goals, and 6 game-winning goals. The Billerica, MA native ranks 1st all time at Endicott in points, assists, and power-play goals, while ranking 2nd in points per game (1.43), goals, goals per game (0.59), and game winning goals. Since signing the contract Olsson has yet to dress for the Railers, but the 6’4″ 215 lbs. forward will look to break into the lineup this weekend as they take on the Adirondack Thunder, Norfolk Admirals, and South Carolina Stingrays.
From the ECHL to the SPHL, we transition to Bryan Hovanec and his journey through the lower professional leagues. The Pittsburgh, PA native signed with the Carolina Thunderbirds of the FHL on Feb. 24th after completing his collegiate career at Lebanon Valley College (NCAA DIII). In his time at LVC, Hovanec registered 104 points in 104 games split between the college’s tenure in the ACHA (Division 1) and NCAA (Division III). In one game with the Carolina Thunderbirds Hovanec registered 1 assists before being loaned to the Quad City Storm of the SPHL. In three games with Quad City, the 6’2″ 200 lbs. forward currently has no points and 2 penalty minutes.
Mike Crowley also made his professional debut recently as he was signed to a three game contract by the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs of the SPHL. The South Buffalo, NY native recently completed his college career at SUNY-Cortland (NCAA DIII) where he had 13 goals and 45 assists over 93 games. Crowley wore an ‘A’ as an alternate captain for his junior and senior seasons and finished the 2018-19 season with three goals and 13 assists. Crowley performed well during his three game contract and has now seen action in 6 games for the Rail Yard Dawgs. The 5’11” 180 lbs. forward has 1 goal and 1 assist to this point in his tenure in the SPHL.
There are over 100 Jr. Blues alumni playing in other junior leagues, college, or professional, and we don’t always have enough time to mention each one for their individual accomplishments. If you know of a Jr. Blues alum who has been excelling on or off the ice, please let us know by sending an email to info@jrblues.com!
