Nate Oliver (ice hockey)

Nathaniel "Nate" Oliver (born April 13, 1980[1]) is an American ice hockey executive, currently serving as general manager of the Buffalo Beauts in the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF). Prior to his role as general manager, Oliver served as the Beauts’ Community Relations Manager for one season.[2] Oliver is also an associate director with Campus Living at the University at Buffalo. Before joining the Buffalo Beauts in 2019, Oliver was a sports journalist, having covered the game for The Hockey Writers. [3]

Nate Oliver
Born
Nathaniel A. Oliver

(1980-04-13) April 13, 1980
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materCanisius College
Occupation(s)Ice hockey executive, sports journalist
Years active2019–present
EmployerBuffalo Beauts

Hockey career

Buffalo Beauts

Oliver was hired as general manager the Buffalo Beauts on May 12, 2020,[4] becoming the fourth GM in franchise history. He replaced Mandy Cronin, who left the position to become GM of the expansion Toronto Six.[5]

The first player signed by Oliver was Dominique Kremer. In May 2022, he re-signed Kremer to the first two-year deal in league history.[6] Six days later, on May 9, 2022, he signed Mikyla Grant-Mentis, the reigning league MVP, to the largest single-season contract in league history, valued at $80,000 USD.[7]

Other players signed by Oliver while serving as Beauts GM include Autumn MacDougall, an alum of the Alberta Pandas women's ice hockey program, also the first player from U Sports women's ice hockey to be drafted into the PHF.[8]

In Oliver’s first draft as general manager, in 2021, the players he selected included RMU Colonials alumnae Emilie Harley (2nd overall) and Anjelica Diffendal (7th overall).[9] With three consecutive picks at 13, 14 and 15, Oliver took Kennedy Ganser, Anna Zíková and Missy Segall. Holy Cross forward Allison Attea went 19th overall, while Oliver’s last pick made draft history. Selecting Castleton University’s Casey Traill, the first player in university history to be drafted into professional hockey,[10] she was the first-ever British player in the draft.[11] Additionally, Oliver selected Swedish goaltender Lovisa Berndtsson with the first ever selection in the PHF's International Draft.[12]

Personal

Oliver considers his closest friend in hockey to be Finnish Olympian and HPK team manager Maija Hassinen-Sullanmaa and he credits her as one of the main influences in his becoming a professional women's hockey GM.

References
  1. "Staff profile: Nathaniel Oliver". Elite Prospects. July 24, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  2. Rice, Dan (July 24, 2021). "Beauts General Manager Nate Oliver has a method to his signing madness". The Ice Garden. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  3. "Author, Nate Oliver". The Hockey Writers. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  4. "Beauts name Williamsville native Nate Oliver as GM". Buffalo News. May 12, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  5. Jay, Michelle (May 12, 2020). "Mandy Cronin named General Manager of Toronto NWHL team". The Ice Garden. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  6. Rodriguez, Angelica (May 3, 2022). "Buffalo Beauts sign Dominique Kremer to two-year deal". The Ice Garden. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  7. Kennedy, Ian (May 9, 2022). "Mikyla Grant-Mentis Signs Largest Contract in Women's Hockey History". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  8. "Autumn MacDougall becomes first-ever Pandas Hockey player drafted to NWHL". The Gateway. May 1, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  9. "Three Colonials Selected in NWHL Draft". Robert Morris University Athletics (Press release). June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  10. "Traill Makes History as Castleton's First NWHL Draftee". Castleton Sports (Press release). June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  11. "Casey Traill drafted into NWHL". FTA Sport. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  12. Jay, Michelle (July 25, 2021). "The first NWHL International Draft class". The Ice Garden. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
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