Paralyzed player has All-Star Weekend to remember

TAMPA -- Matt Olson had a time to remember at NHL All-Star Weekend.
From getting a picture with the Stanley Cup to seeing himself on the jumbotron at Amalie Arena during the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, Olson said his experience was even better than he could have imagined.

RELATED: [All-Star Game diary: Jon Cooper | Dream comes true for two guests at All-Star Weekend]
"It's been unbelievable being here," Olson said. "Everything has been wonderful, and the warm weather here in Tampa has been great.
"I never thought I'd see the Stanley Cup much less be so close to it. It's much bigger than I thought and it's pretty nicked up, too. It's been through a lot over the years."
Olson, a 20-year-old from Isanti, Minnesota, has been playing hockey since he was 3. He enjoyed a standout career as a defenseman at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minnesota, and went to play juniors for the Chicago Cougars in the U.S. Premier Hockey League.

But while playing for the Cougars in 2016, Olson suffered a severe injury to his neck and spinal cord after falling head first into the boards. The injury has left him paralyzed from the chest down, and he has limited feeling in his arms.
Upon hearing of Olson's injury, the NHL community rallied around him with several clubs sending memorabilia and holding silent auctions to help Olson and his family cover their medical expenses. He has a GoFundMe page (https://www.gofundme.com/mattolson-3) that has raised more than $220,000 in less than two years.
This weekend Olson was able to take a break from his daily rehabilitation and therapy sessions to be a guest of the NHL through its Declaration of Principles.
"This means everything to me," Olson said. "I have been playing since I was 3 and it's the only thing I really know. The whole hockey community is special. it's like a big family. No matter where you are and what team you root for everyone comes together. I'm very grateful to be part of that family."
Olson was pulling for the Central Division in the 2018 NHL Honda All-Star Game because of the Minnesota Wild, his favorite team.
He said he'd also be keeping an eye on some of his favorite players.
"Obviously Alex Ovechkin, I've always liked him," Olson said. "And Eric Staal is my guy from the Wild. I like the Islanders too, because I've spent time with Anders Lee so I'll be rooting for his teammates, John Tavares and Josh Bailey.
"I think it's going to be a good game. Everyone is going to be great because it's the best of the best here today."
Olson is in Tampa with his parents Sue and Doug Olson and the family had the chance to thoroughly enjoy All-Star Weekend, including time with Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser, a fellow Minnesota native.

"Everyone has been so generous with their time," Olson said. "The guys just taking a few minutes to talk with me and my family was really nice. All the players are very down to earth and just regular nice people."
The Olsons will return to Minnesota on Monday and Matt will continue with his rehab. He also attends college and would like to pursue a career in environmental science.
He said the only thing that would be better than his weekend in Tampa would be watching the Wild win the Stanley Cup.
"That would be unbelievable," Olson said. "Hopefully they can bring it home.