Mathieu Olivier (born February 11, 1997) is a Canadian–American professional ice hockey player who currently serves as a right winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He made history as the first player born in Mississippi to play in the NHL, and he is also the first Gulf Coast region native to play for the Nashville Predators organization. Olivier has built his professional career since 2018, establishing himself as a reliable energy player and physical presence in NHL lineups.
Mathieu Olivier Bio
Mathieu Olivier was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on February 11, 1997, while his father Simon Olivier was playing professional hockey for the ECHL’s Mississippi Sea Wolves. After spending only three months in Mississippi, young Mathieu moved to various cities and countries including Canada, Germany, Oklahoma City, and Houston as his father continued his hockey career. This peripatetic childhood exposed him to multiple cultures and languages at an early age. He attended kindergarten in Germany and became fluent in German before his family settled in their native Canada. Growing up primarily in Quebec, Olivier developed his passion for hockey and began playing youth hockey with the Lévis Commandeurs in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League.
Early Life and Background
Olivier’s early childhood was shaped by his father’s professional hockey career, which required the family to relocate frequently across North America and Europe. These moves during his formative years taught him adaptability and resilience, qualities that would later serve him well as a professional athlete competing in different leagues and countries. Despite the constant transitions, Olivier remained focused on his development as a hockey player. He settled in Quebec where he became deeply immersed in the province’s rich hockey culture and tradition.
Path to Professional Hockey
As a youth player in Quebec, Olivier refined his skills with the Lévis Commandeurs in the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, now known as the QMAAA. His performance caught the attention of scouts, and he was selected by the Moncton Wildcats in the 2013 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft. This selection marked his entry into Canada’s premier junior hockey circuit and set the stage for his professional aspirations. His tenure with the Wildcats lasted a season and a half before he was traded to the Shawinigan Cataractes in December 2014.
Mathieu Olivier Career
QMJHL Career (2013–2018)
Upon joining the Shawinigan Cataractes, Olivier quickly became an integral part of the team. During his time with the Cataractes, he played in the QMJHL’s first Winter Classic and scored a goal in a 4–2 victory over the Victoriaville Tigres, marking one of his early memorable performances in major junior hockey. Prior to the 2015–16 season, Olivier was named an assistant captain, a leadership role that highlighted his growing influence within the organization. In this capacity, he helped guide the Cataractes to the President’s Cup Finals before they were eliminated by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. On the opening night of the 2017–18 QMJHL training camps, Olivier was traded to the Sherbrooke Phoenix in exchange for two draft picks. With the Phoenix, he recorded 42 points during the regular season while serving as an alternate captain. Following the conclusion of the QMJHL playoffs, Olivier signed his first professional contract with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL) on February 19, 2018. His performance throughout his five seasons in the QMJHL earned him the team’s MVP and Fan Favourite Awards.
Milwaukee Admirals and Nashville Predators (2018–2022)
After concluding his major junior career, Olivier attended the Nashville Predators Development Camp and Prospects Showcase ahead of the 2018–19 season. He made his professional debut with the Milwaukee Admirals, appearing in 54 games where he tallied four goals and 12 points. Notably, he led the entire AHL with nine fights during his rookie professional season, establishing his reputation as an enforcer. His physical play and relentless energy prompted the Predators to re-sign him to a two-year, entry-level contract covering the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons. Olivier was reassigned to the Admirals to begin the 2019–20 season, recording seven points in 17 games before earning his first NHL recall on November 18, 2019. He made his NHL debut the following day, appearing on the fourth line in a 2–1 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets on November 19, 2019.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2022–Present)
Following four seasons within the Predators organization, Olivier was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick on July 1, 2022. This move marked a new chapter in his career, joining a franchise in the midst of rebuilding and retooling its roster. Olivier brought his established physical style and veteran experience to a young Blue Jackets lineup. On March 5, 2025, he signed a six-year, $18 million contract extension with Columbus, securing his long-term future with the organization and reflecting the team’s confidence in his contributions.
Playing Style and Strengths
Olivier is known for his physical, energy-line style of play as a right winger. Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 232 pounds, he uses his size effectively to win board battles, protect the puck, and create space for his teammates. His willingness to engage physically and drop the gloves when necessary has made him a valuable presence in the Blue Jackets’ bottom six forward group. Olivier forechecks aggressively and brings consistent effort shift after shift, qualities that have earned him regular ice time throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Olivier’s most historic milestone remains his NHL debut on November 19, 2019, when he became the first player born in Mississippi to play in the NHL. This achievement marked him as a pioneer for hockey development in the Gulf Coast region. Internationally, Olivier was selected as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, representing his country on the world stage and demonstrating the respect he has earned as a leader.
Mathieu Olivier Career Statistics
Olivier has accumulated professional experience across both the American Hockey League and the National Hockey League throughout his career since turning professional in 2018.
Major Junior Highlights
Over five seasons in the QMJHL spanning from 2013 to 2018, Olivier played for three different teams including the Moncton Wildcats, Shawinigan Cataractes, and Sherbrooke Phoenix. During his major junior career, he accumulated 21 points in 86 games with the Wildcats before his trade to the Cataractes. His strongest offensive output came with the Phoenix, where he recorded 42 points in the 2017–18 season while serving as alternate captain. His consistent performance and leadership earned him the MVP and Fan Favourite Awards in his final QMJHL season.
Professional Career Statistics
In his first professional season with the Milwaukee Admirals during 2018–19, Olivier appeared in 54 AHL games, recording four goals and 12 points while leading the league with nine fights. He made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators on November 19, 2019, appearing in several games with the club during the 2019–20 season. Since joining the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022, Olivier has continued to serve as a reliable depth forward, contributing consistent physical play and energy to the lineup.
International Play
Olivier has represented the United States internationally, being selected as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Championship. This selection marked his first major international tournament participation and highlighted his growth as both a player and a leader.
Mathieu Olivier Family
Family Background
Olivier comes from a hockey family with strong athletic roots. His father, Simon Olivier, was a professional hockey player who competed for the ECHL’s Mississippi Sea Wolves during the time Mathieu was born. Simon’s professional career took the family across North America and Europe, providing young Mathieu with a childhood exposed to multiple countries and cultures. This family legacy in hockey clearly influenced Mathieu’s career path and passion for the sport.
Personal Life
Despite his Canadian and American heritage, Olivier grew up with a multicultural background that included fluency in German from his early childhood years in Europe. He maintains a presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. His journey from a peripatetic childhood to becoming an NHL player represents a unique story in professional hockey, particularly as a pioneer from the Gulf Coast region.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NHL season marked a significant milestone in Olivier’s career with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He delivered one of his most consistent seasons as a professional, balancing his trademark physical play with increasingly reliable offensive contributions from the Blue Jackets’ bottom six forward group. His performance throughout the season demonstrated his value as a versatile depth player capable of filling various roles within the team’s lineup. The Blue Jackets rewarded his strong play by signing him to a lucrative six-year, $18 million extension in March 2025, signaling the organization’s belief in his continued contributions going forward. This contract represents the largest and longest commitment of his career, providing him with long-term security while solidifying his place in Columbus’s plans for the future.