2022 Draft Recap

Sep 7, 2022

The Norwich Sea Captains of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) used their two draft picks to select two forwards in the 2022 NA3HL Draft on April 20. Norwich only had two picks in the draft because they traded their two other allotted picks to acquire members of their inaugural 2021-22 team. Both players selected will be part of the 2022-23 Sea Captains.

Norwich used their first selection on local product Quinten Olshan. The 2004-born East Lyme, CT native is no stranger to the RoseGarden Ice Arena, having played much of his youth hockey for the Southeastern Connecticut Seahawks. Olshan is a 2022 graduate of Xavier (CT) High School where he was a key member of the Falcons’ top line during his senior season. He helped lead his team to the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Division I Semifinals before they bowed out of the tournament. Olshan also played for the Central Connecticut Capitals 18U team that advanced to the 2022 USA Hockey National Championship Tournament falling in the semifinals. His Capitals 16U team participated in the National Tournament in 2021 as well.

“It was very exciting to be drafted by my local team. When I heard that there was a team coming to Norwich I was interested right away. I am thankful that I got a chance to talk to Coach Cunningham about the organization and the plans for its future. I am looking forward to getting out on the ice with my teammates and contributing to a winning environment,” offered Olshan about being selected by the Sea Captains.

With their second selection in the draft Norwich chose to go a bit further away from home selecting Soldotna, AK native Jacob Begich. He is a 2022 graduate of Kenai Central (AK) High School and was born in 2003. Begich had a decorated athletic career at Kenai Central where he represented the Kardinals in both hockey and track capped by winning the 2021-22 Athlete of the Year Award. On the ice, he was the team’s Offensive Most Valuable Player for four seasons and the Team MVP as a senior. Begich received All-Conference, All-State and KSRM ESPN Radio Athlete of the Year honors as well. Begich also excelled on the track where he placed second in the Alaska State Championship meet in both the 100 meter and 200 meter final. He was also a part of the Kenai Central relay teams that won State Championships in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay events. This summer Begich excelled for the Middlesex Bears as they won the Hockey Night in Boston Boys’ Major Showcase.

Begich shared his thoughts on being drafted saying, “It was an honor to be drafted by a young franchise looking to build a tradition of excellence. It is exciting to be a part of the growth of the organization. I am looking forward to creating some awesome memories and winning a bunch of hockey games.’

“We were extremely please to be able to select Quinten and Jacob in the draft! They will both make our team better with their skills, compete level and determination to succeed. Quinten being a local product is something that I think is really cool because we are committed to playing our part in growing the great game of hockey in Norwich and throughout Eastern Connecticut. He had a great senior year at Xavier and we are thrilled that he is a Sea Captain. I had the opportunity work with Jacob at the United State Junior Development Camp (USJDP) in the summer of 2021 and he made a lasting impression on me with his play on the ice and character,” commented Head Coach Kevin Cunningham when talking about the Norwich draft selections.

The Sea Captains open their second season in Norwich on September 23 and 24 when they host the New Jersey Titans. Season tickets are currently on sale HERE and the promotional schedule will be shared Thursday, September 8 and individual game tickets will go on sale on Friday, September 9 at 2 PM.