ECHL Commissioner, Brian McKenna and Olie Kolzig
On Friday, March 19, goaltender Olaf “Olie” Kölzig was inducted into the ECHL Hall of Fame at Germain Arena in Estero, FL. The award was presented before the start of the Florida Everblade game by ECHL Commissioner, Brian McKenna. Kölzig, who retired after 14 seasons in the NHL, is known for his service off the ice as well as his accomplishments on. Kolzig told the crowd he is now working to bring greater awareness to autism. His son Carson has autism.
Along with fellow NHLers Byron Dafoe and Scott Mellanby, Kölzig founded Athletes Against Autism to raise awareness of autism and encourage more research, as well as the Carson Kolzig Foundation for Youth Autism in honor of his son Carson.
Olie Kolzig; Everblades President Craig Brush;Christin Kolzig and Autism Speaks Volunteer Elly Hagen
Kölzig and his wife Christin greeted with families prior to Friday’s Autism Awareness Night at the Everblades game. Everblades President Craig Brush presented a $2,500 donation to Autism Speaks which will be credited to the Southwest Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks.
To learn more about the Southwest Florida Walk Now for Autism Speaks, visit the Website or their Facebook page.
Photos provided by Al Larson Photo.
