Senate Resolution 27

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LANDMARK PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENT BY BILOXI NATIVE AND NASHVILLE PREDATORS FORWARD MATHIEU OLIVIER AS HE SCORED THE FIRST NHL GOAL BY A PLAYER BORN IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, on February 1, 2021, Mathieu Olivier made Mississippi sports history. The Nashville Predators forward scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning, which was the first on the NHL's goal scoring list for players born in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mathieu Olivier was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, while his father, Simon, was playing for the Mississippi Sea Wolves of the East Coast Hockey League. Olivier is believed to be the first player born in Mississippi to play in the NHL; and

WHEREAS, Mathieu Olivier got his first taste of NHL action last season, and now he is hoping for more. The physical, 6-foot-2, 215-pound winger is entering the second season of his two-year, entry-level deal, and Olivier was called upon to bring some snarl to the Nashville lineup in 2019-2020, when he skated in his first eight career NHL games; and

WHEREAS, never drafted, Olivier made an impression while attending Predators Rookie Camp in 2018, and he earned his Preds contract after succeeding with Milwaukee of the AHL. Olivier spent the majority of his previous campaign with the Admirals as well, posting 10 goals, 19 points and 95 penalty minutes in 56 games for last season's best AHL team. The 23-year-old remains on Nashville's radar again, and he could be called upon if the Preds are in search of another physical presence up front; and

WHEREAS, the Nashville Predators forward was penalized two minutes in the penalty box with 6 minutes, 33 seconds remaining in the third period for roughing during his team's February 1st 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Moments earlier, Olivier's face absorbed a high stick, leaving him in a heap on the ice a few feet in front of the Lightning goal. The soon-to-be 24-year-old gathered himself soon after and rose to his feet when the puck bounced his way. All of this happened less than seven minutes after Olivier shot to first on the NHL's goal scoring list for players born in Mississippi when he scored his first career goal. "It is definitely a big step in my career," Olivier said of the goal. "Getting the first goal is always special"; and

WHEREAS, Olivier's style has impressed Coach John Hynes, who said, "He plays the game really hard. Plays with grit. He is not afraid to hit. Not afraid to use his 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame. He is fast. He is physical. He keeps plays alive. In the offensive zone, he gets into hard areas and he has ability to score because he uses his skill set the right way." In other words, he fits the mold of the type of player Hynes has been preaching his team needs, a player with mental fortitude, confidence and physical toughness; and

WHEREAS, Olivier was tied for 14th in the AHL in penalty minutes last season with 95. He tied for the AHL lead in fighting majors with nine as a rookie in 2017-2018, and he scored the game-winning goal in Game 3 of Milwaukee's first round series vs. Iowa, the team's first playoff win since 2013, while amassing 16 penalty minutes in five Calder cup Payoff contests. Olivier spent five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2013-2018, tallying 130 points (59g-71a) and 390 penalty minutes in 300 career games with Moncton, Shawinigan and Sherbrooke; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend a young NHL rising star who has brought honor to his native community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the landmark professional sporting event by Biloxi native and Nashville Predators Forward Mathieu Olivier as he scored the first NHL goal by a player born in Mississippi, and extend to him our best wishes for future sports and career success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mathieu Olivier and his family, forwarded to the Nashville Predator's corporate office and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.