Gulls Grads: Fresh Off All-Star AHL Season, Zellweger Ready for More
By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com
The 2023-24 season was a period of learning for Olen Zellweger.
Whether that was learning how to adjust his own brand of hockey to the National Hockey League or learning how to deal with the ups and downs of pro hockey, the 21-year-old defenseman was always soaking in information.
After starting the season in San Diego last season, he’s now ready for his first full season in the NHL.
"I think [San Diego] did a great job preparing me for how physical and how aggressive the game is," Zellweger said. "It also did a great job teaching me new ways to create offense, which I can bring to the NHL"
Zellweger’s first full pro season was an eventful one. Coming off winning the Canadian Hockey League’s Defenseman of the Year award, Zellweger carried that momentum in the American Hockey League, where he earned an All-Star selection after posting 8-18=26 points in his first 34 games. He earned a call-up in late January and earned his first career NHL point in his debut.
But soon after, Zellweger learned the harsh reality of the NHL and was sent back to San Diego after going scoreless in his next three games.
"At first, it’s a little disappointing. You obviously want to make the Ducks," Zellweger said. "But I really enjoyed last year with San Diego. I think I developed in time."
His second stint with the Gulls was nothing short of electric. In 10 games following his demotion, he tacked on 4-8=12 points, including four multi-point games, to earn his second call-up of the season. From there, he never looked back and tallied eight points in 22 NHL games, including an end-of-season eight-game run where he posted 2-4=6 points with a three-assist game April 2 in Calgary, and saw his time on ice jump from 13:42 in his debut to as high as 24:46.
“I think I was playing not bad before the break there and I just came back, and I was energized and determined to play relentless every night,” Zellweger said. “Things started clicking a bit offensively and I took advantage of that confidence. “
A lot of familiar faces surround him at Anaheim Ducks training camp now. It’s no longer a foreign concept, and as a shoo-in for an everyday role on the blueline, Zellweger is transferring what he learned to those that might be in his shoes from a year ago.
“I’m still a young player, but in general, [they should] really take advantage of that time,” Zellweger said. “There’s less games, so time to lift weights, for extra ice training and stuff like that.”