"You can't say that Kolzig didn't bounce back after a rather difficult 1998-99 campaign. NHL Player of the Month in January; NHL Player of the Week in March; a nomination to the NHL's first all-star team; and to cap it off, the Vezina Trophy as the circuit's best goaltender. Not too shabby. A big goalie, Kolzig is extremely agile and quick on his feet. He exhibits lightning reflexes and plays a mature game. Godzilla" loves a heavy workload - he has taken part in 201 games in the last three seasons alone. The Vezina merely confirmed his status as part of the league's elite." (The Sports Forecaster 2000-01, p. 135)

""Godzilla" followed up his Vezina-winning season with another strong campaign. Kolzig is big, quick and agile. He covers the entire net very well and has terrific reflexes. It's safe to say that "Olie the Goalie" has become one of the game's top netminders. However, another first round playoff exit has raised doubts about his ability to lead his team when the games really count - not that his play had anything to do with the loss. Kolzig has established himself as a bona fide regular season goalie but now must prove he can backstop a team to hockey's ultimate prize. Prehaps a lightened workload would pay off." (The Sports Forecaster 2001-02, p. 137)

"No NHL netminder faced more shots than "Olie the Goalie" last season. The Capitals played poorly in front of the former Vezina Trophy winner, mainly due to several blueline injuries. Kolzig appeared in more than 70 games and logged over 4,000 minutes for the third straight season. His hefty workload, plus a nagging knee injury, have hurt his stats in recent years. His size still intimidates shooters but his reflexes aren't quite up to his own lofty standards. Kolzig must receive more time off this season if the Caps are to return to postseason play. If he gets 60-65 starts, he could return to the league's goaltending elite." (The Sports Forecaster 2002-03, p. 135)

"The veteran netminder's numbers have started to dip, which coincides with the Capitals recent struggles. Kolzig is no longer capable of stealing games on a nightly basis, so he should continue to see even more of a statistical plunge on the rebuilding Caps. However, his leadership and presence are invaluable to this franchise. (The Sports Forecaster 2005-06, p. 102)

• Selected by Washington Capitals in first round (first Capitals pick, 19th overall) of National Hockey League entry draft, June 17, 1989.
• Loaned by Capitals to Rochester Americans (AHL), October 2, 1992.
• Signed with Eisbaren Berlin (Deutsche Liga) during NHL lockout, February 2, 2005.
• Resigned to two-year contract extension with Capitals, February 11, 2006.
• Signed as unrestricted free agent to one-year contract with Tampa Bay Lightning, July 1, 2008.
• Traded by Lightning (with Jamie Heward, Andy Rogers, and fourth-round selection in NHL entry draft) to Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Richard Petiot, March 4, 2009.
• Announced retirement from professional hockey, September 23, 2009.

• Shared (with Byron Dafoe) Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award (AHL), 1993-94.
• Winner, Jack Butterfield Trophy, 1993-94.
• Played in National Hockey League All-Star Game, 1998.
• Named National Hockey League Player of the Month (11-1-2, 1.68 GAA, 93.6% sv), January, 2000.
• Named National Hockey League Player of the Week (3-0-1, 1.71 GAA, 94.4% sv), March 6, 2000.
• Named to National Hockey League All-Star First Team, 1999-2000.
• Winner, Vezina Trophy, 1999-2000.
• Named National Hockey League Player of the Week (3-0-0, 1.01 GAA, 95.5% sv), December 18, 2000.
• Inducted into ECHL Hall of Fame (class of 2010).

• NHL debut: October 11, 1989, 4-1 loss at Hartford.

• On May 30, 1998, Olaf shutout the Buffalo Sabres with a 30 save performance in a 2-0 win, giving the Capitals a 3-games-to-1 series lead over the Sabres, and becoming the tenth goaltender in National Hockey League history to record four shutouts in one postseason. The Capitals would reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in their history, falling in four straight to the Detroit Red Wings.

• Underwent surgery to right knee, November 1988.
• Dislocated kneecap; missed fourteen games, October 13, 1993.
• Suffered from mononucleosis; missed three games, October 8, 1996.
• Underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur and scar tissue in his right knee; missed first two games of regular season, September 26, 2000.
• Groin injury; missed four games, November 11, 2005.

• On November 29, 1989, while with the Western Hockey League's Tri-City Americans, Olaf scored a goal in a 5-2 victory over Seattle.
• During the 1999-00 season, Olaf set a Washington Capitals club mark with 41 regular season victories.
• On his mask: "I'm a big guy who plays with a lot of emotion. I wanted the mask to show that. I sent three to the artist, and we came up with the concept together. After 9/11, I had him put the Pentagon on the left side to pay tribute to those people. Once the season is over, I'm going to auction off the mask and donate all the money to victims of 9/11." (ESPN The Magazine, 1/21/02, p. 104)