Hockey Staff

John Olver, 54, assumes the role of general manager for 2013-14, and will oversee the hockey operations department. He brings three decades of experience in coaching, scouting, and management, after starting his coaching career at 23 years old in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

Olver has a reputation for building championship-caliber teams, making seven appearances in the league finals during his nine seasons as a head coach in the professional ranks. He served as the head coach and vice president of hockey operations of the Idaho Steelheads in the West Coast Hockey League and the ECHL from 2000 – 2005. He also was the head coach and general manager of the Tacoma Sabercats in the WCHL from 1997-00, and the GM of the Fresno Falcons from 1995-97, serving as head coach in 1995-96. He reached the finals in seven of his nine seasons as a head coach in the WCHL and ECHL, winning a pair of championships – in 1999 with Tacoma (WCHL) and in 2004 with Idaho (ECHL).

Olver went from Idaho to Northern Michigan University, serving for two seasons as assistant coach. He then headed to Des Moines, Iowa to serve as the founding president and general manager of the American Hockey League’s Iowa Stars in 2007-08.

Since 2009-10, he has served as GM/head coach of the Idaho Jr. Steelheads in the Western States Hockey League, winning three consecutive titles and an AAU National Championship this season after guiding his club to a 57-1-1 record.

Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies (who later became the New Jersey Devils), in the 8th round of the 1978 NHL Entry Draft, Olver played three seasons at the University of Michigan and later passed over signing an NHL contract to focus on coaching. He became assistant coach of New Westminster in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League for his first coaching position at the age of 23. At 25, Olver earned his first head coaching position with Langley in the BCHL, and guided his team to a 40-8-2 record.

Olver joined the Condors staff in 2011-12 as the assistant to the head coach. The North Burnaby, British Columbia native played an integral role in the foundation of the WCHL, and in helping Bakersfield land their first professional hockey team in 1995 (the Bakersfield Fog).

For a link to Olver’s coaching and playing career, click here.

Prospective players should email J.O. here.