The 2016 Ozaukee County Hockey League Novice Division draft took pace Sunday night at the OIC.  The event itself was its usual mix of sucking up to the locals, ("We'd like to thank the fans in Mequon for their hospitality"), Jedi mind tricks, bickering, and media interviews.

In the end, the rosters of the six teams were established.

Of the 14 players drafted to the Milwaukee Express roster, 12 of them skated with them last season.  It's time to meet the two new guys.

Joe Olson -- born on August 31, 1984 in Livonia, Michigan, (also the hometown of Mike Modano). He played for several junior teams in Detroit but didn't make the cut for the AAA grade, and ended up playing bantam hockey for his father's team.  Olson then caught his break, being invited to play for the US National Development Team based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He enjoyed two fairly successful seasons with the US National Team, and went on to play for the University of Michigan for one season, playing 40 games and scoring 11 goals and 20 assists for the Wolverines.

After writing his senior thesis on why Law and Order is the best show ever, Joe transferred to do graduate law work at Concordia University.  His led the Concordia team last year in penalty minutes due to 'saying the magic words' a couple too many times.  "Apparently, referees in this league are more sensitive than judges are.  Who knew?  I very thoroughly pleaded my case, had the facts on my side, and he just gave me another ten minutes." Olson told reporters after the game.

Olson will bring both intangibles AND tangibles to the Milwaukee Express team this winter.   He will also bring beer when it's his assigned week.

"Sustained," Olson declares.

Daniel Garcia -- was selected first overall in the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft by the Tri-City Americans, but chose instead to play midget AAA hockey at Shattuck-Saint Mary's.  The decision enabled him to retain his NCAA eligibility. Garcia scored 110 points in 64 games in his second season with Shattuck-Saint Mary's before moving on to play college ice hockey.

Garcia played two seasons at the University of North Dakota, compiling 85 points (40 goals and 45 assists), a +38 plus-minus rating and a 56.7% faceoff winning percentage in 76 games. But the bigger highlight for him was taking his junior roller hockey team all the way to the championship.

"I'll never forget that roller hockey team, man," Garcia recalls. "There was B-Dubs in net...  K-Nut on the blue line...M-Dawg skating around everyone....and Steve.  Oh man, we couldn't have done it without Steve.  Championships are forever."  

Going into the 2016-17 OCHL Entry Draft, Garcia was ranked third among North American prospects by the OCHL Central Scouting Bureau, and was ultimately chosen by Milwaukee Express.  

"I'm really excited to join the Express.  I can't think of any other team that I would rather have been on, other than the Blackhawks."