A member of Peoria’s iconic Olson hockey family will be honored by the City of Bloomington.
The city has announced the Pepsi Ice Center, attached to Grossinger Motors Arena, will be renamed the Bloomington Ice Center. The ice rink within the facility will be named Joe Olson Rink.
Olson, who was instrumental in the building of Bloomington’s youth and adult hockey programs since the ice center opened in 2006, died May 31. He was 60.
“Joe knew the name of every player that came through our doors. We want everyone that ever enters into the rink to know him and all he has done for the community,” said Bloomington Ice Center Manager Michael Hernbrott in a news release issued by the city.
“It is due to Joe’s efforts that the Bloomington hockey community has grown to include the Bloomington Youth Hockey Association, the Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association, the McLean County Youth Hockey Association, and the Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association.”
An official dedication ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Joe Olson was the son of Mark Olson, who along with the late Peter BardezBanian, is considered the father of hockey in Peoria. His brother, Ric, who played for Michigan State, the Peoria Blades and the Peoria Prancers, died June 1.