Matthew Olaya a student of PCTI School of Communication Arts – Audio Visual Production was selected earlier this year as an NHL Power Player, part of a national initiative that elevates youth voices in the sport.
NHL Power Players is designed to engage the next generation of hockey fans by selecting young people ages 13–17 to advise the League on topics that matter to their peers. Participants have the opportunity to share feedback directly with the NHL, learn about the business side of sports, and build connections with fellow board members.
An aspiring sports journalist, Matthew has already gained experience through work with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights and New Jersey Youth Soccer. He has also earned recognition in statewide and national media competitions representing PCTI. While Matthew grew up loving sports like soccer and football, hockey wasn’t originally on his radar—until he discovered it through playing EA SPORTS NHL 21. That spark turned into a real passion for the game and for his hometown team, the New Jersey Devils, and he now attends multiple Devils games each season.
As a Power Player, Matt aims to bring a greater sense of physical and digital community to teams across the NHL, like what he has experienced in soccer and motorsports