Walter Raymond Olds (August 17, 1949 – January 11, 2009) was an ice hockey player who played three seasons in the World Hockey Association for the New York Raiders and Calgary Cowboys between 1973 and 1976. He was also part of the Chicago Cougars' organization, but never played for them.
Early life
Olds was born in Warroad, Minnesota, and raised in Baudette, Minnesota. As an amateur, he played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team, where he was an all-American defenseman. He was a member of United States Olympic team at the 1972 Winter Olympics, where he earned a silver medal.
Career
Olds was drafted 57th overall by the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft but never played in the National Hockey League due to his strong opposition to fighting, choosing instead to sign with the Raiders of the rival WHA.
Olds left North American professional hockey following the 1975–76 season and moved to Europe, where he continued playing for eight years in Austria (1976–77), Germany (1977–80), Switzerland (1980–81), Sweden (1981–82), and Norway (1982–83). He was recalled by the US national team for the 1977, 1979 and 1981 Ice Hockey World Championships tournaments.
Personal life
Olds died of colon cancer on January 11, 2009.