How Mathieu Olivier went from an undrafted tough guy to a fan favorite

It isn't every day that you come across a guy who can take on just about anyone in a fight while being a key scorer for his team. But Mathieu Olivier isn't your typical NHL player.

The path to the NHL wasn't an easy one for Mathieu Olivier

From 2013 to 2018, Olivier played five full seasons in the QMJHL, one of Canada's top juniors leagues, scoring 130 points and tallying 390 penalty minutes in exactly 300 games. These numbers didn't exactly have him shooting up NHL draft rankings.

He didn't light up the scoresheet in his first AHL season with the Milwaukee Admirals, with 12 points in 54 games, but his physicality and relentless effort was enough to earn him a chance at the top level.

After his first professional season ended, the Nashville Predators decided that he was worth a closer look, and they signed him to an entry-level contract to show them what he could do in the NHL.

For the next three seasons, Olivier mainly played in the AHL with a few NHL appearances here and there; with very little offensive production and playing in a fourth line role mainly composed of hitting and fighting opponents.

The Blue Jackets acquired Olivier in late June of 2022 for a fourth-round pick that was used a week later in a move meant to toughen up the Blue Jackets, something the young team desperately needed at the time.

Little did the fans, the front office, or perhaps even Olivier himself know that he would be a staple of Columbus' future for years to come.

Olivier has stood out in Columbus since day one

In his first full season with the Blue Jackets, Olivier immediately made an impact on a struggling team, one that broke the unfortunate franchise record for losses in a season with 48.

Olivier produced 15 points (a career high at the time) and nine fights, bringing the grit and energy that fans crave.

We got more of the same from him the next year, with 12 points and eight fights in twelve less games, as Olivier was simply filling his role as a physical leader with minor offensive upside.

Last year was a bit different. Olivier exploded offensively, more than tripling his career high in goals with 18 while finishing the season with 32 points and a whopping 15 fights in a full 82 games, establishing himself as an offensive weapon with a mean streak.

This solid production convinced the Jackets to lock him up long term, signing him to a six-year, $18 million deal back in March.

Today, Olivier is a fan favorite in Columbus, still showing tons of passion and energy and providing the team with a spark every time he is needed.

So far this year, he has continued his steady offensive output with five points in 12 games, including a four point explosion against Toronto.

Don't worry though, Olivier is still willing to drop the gloves when asked, and he's still able to do damage, as he already has two fights on the season including a victory Saturday night against St. Louis' Tyler Tucker.

From going undrafted to becoming a main piece on an NHL roster, he has earned every shift with sheer persistence and toughness.

Whether he's lighting the lamp or sticking up for a teammate, Mathieu Olivier has become a hockey fan's dream: a player who gives everything he has every single night.