Darren Zary
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
The University of Saskatchewan Huskies are happy that they were put in Harm’s way.
Olivia Harm — a so-called “big” — travelled big-time miles, all the way from Stockholm, Sweden, to play for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies as a rookie this season.
“It’s definitely been an adventure,” admits Harm, whose Huskies are home to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the Canada West women’s basketball championship final Saturday (5 p.m.) at the Physical Activity Complex. Both teams will automatically move on to the U Sports Final 8 tournament.
Harm was recruited by Huskies’ long-time coach Lisa Thomaidis to fill a need down low.
“We were really looking for someone,” explains Thomaidis, who has developed basketball contacts world-wide as the former head coach of Canada’s national senior team and current coach of Germany’s national senior team.
“We actually went through an agent in Europe. We were kind of late, but (Harm) was still open (to offers). When I contacted the agent, they listed her on top for the best prospects still available. She was at the top, but the agent told me not to contact her. He said, ‘I think you should contact this person.’ I said, ‘why shouldn’t I contact Olivia?’ They said, ‘well, she’s got offers in the States already.’ I said, ‘Well, it’s worth a shot.’
“One thing led to the next. She came for a visit. She got accepted into the Edwards School of Business. They have a bit of an exchange program with a school in Sweden.”
Harm is a 6-foot-1 forward from Stockholm’s Alvik Basket SBL squad.
“I knew I wanted to move out after high school to explore something new, and I’m very glad that I did go to Canada,” says Harm. “It’s not something that Sweden has really explored, so it was definitely something challenging. People were asking me, ‘Oh, where are you going?’ and I’d be like, ‘I’m going to Canada!’ but I definitely enjoyed the journey. It’s been so fun and great playing against (university athletes) under the coaching of Lisa, and also my teammates are so great.
“I’m definitely happy with my decision”
Being part of a winning program with another shot at adding a national title is a bonus.
“It’s really cool being in the gym and having coaches like Laura (Dally) who has won a national championship or a teammate like Andy (Andrea Dodig) who has also won one,” adds Harm. “I have five years to do it, so hopefully I have the opportunity to accomplish that.
“But it’s so cool having our banners up (in the rafters). It inspires us every day.”
Harm has played for Sweden’s national youth under-16, under-18 and under-20 squads.
“Coming into the season, obviously we had a big hole to fill with Carly (Ahlstrom) graduating,” points out Thomaidis, “so we needed someone who could stretch the floor as a (No. 4 position), shoot the three and she can defend. She’s also another tough one. She gets after the boards. She can keep people in front. And, yeah, she gets better offensively each week.
“She’s kind of those ones who can have six to eight points a game, but makes good decisions with the ball. Her breakout games were when we played against Alberta and we were down a post player, so she was playing the five (spot) and rebounding against a fifth-year player. She’s given us great depth. She’s got lots of opportunity with Ella (Murphy Wiebe) missing a portion of the year. And she adds some versatility. She can play the four or the five (spot on offence).”
And, just 19, she’s young.
“She’s played with Sweden’s national age-group team. It’s been a big move for her, but she’s been a great addition.”
Harm came to Saskatoon on a recruiting trip last April right after a snowstorm. Luckily, the weather turned in time.
However, this winter has been an adjustment.
“It’s been cold,” says Harm. “I definitely wasn’t prepared. We have snow in Sweden, and we also don’t get this much sun. It’s been nice and sunny at least.”
Harm was instantly sold, and the weather wasn’t even a consideration.
“Honestly, I had no idea about this program and it was so cool to have (Thomaidis) contact me and get in touch,” explains Harm. “From the get-go, I felt I was really interested. She was, like, ‘if this is something you’re interested in, let’s keep talking’ and we did.
“I wanted to decide after I visited so, after that, I knew this is where I wanted to play.”
Harm is quite versatile, too. She can play either the No. 4 or No. 5 forward position and takes pride in that.
“I usually try to adapt to whatever team I play on,” she says. “Getting to play on the national team helps with that, because they put you wherever you’re needed so you just have to adapt. It’s cool to do different things here, too. We’ve had some injuries at the beginning of the season, so I had to step up to (play the No. 5) and try and help my team in that way. If I can help my team whatever I can, I’m going to do it.”
Harm appreciates the fan support at the PAC, where she has played in front of the biggest crowds she has experienced.
“Just to play at home, and having such a big crowd for us, (it) was so fun to see that,” she says. “And to have people behind our backs is really, really cool.
“It has been really fun to see the competition. I feel like playing against Regina, I got to feel the rivalry of Canada West. I didn’t really understand the depth of the rivalry. Getting to play on their home court and seeing their fans heckle us was really kind of cool, and to see that kind of rivalry.”
dzary@postmedia.com
