Jamie Oleksiak
Defenceman drafted 14th overall by Dallas Stars in 2011.
Jamie Oleksiak, a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, plays for the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL. Known as the "Big Rig," he was picked 14th overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft by the Dallas Stars, making him the highest draft selection ever from Northeastern University.
Oleksiak spent one season at Northeastern University, putting up 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and leading his team with a plus-13 plus/minus rating. After that freshman year, he moved to the Canadian Hockey League, signing with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League in July 2011. In October 2011, he inked a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars. When the Spirit fell out of playoff contention during the 2011–12 season, he was traded to the Niagara IceDogs in January 2012.
Turning pro after that season, Oleksiak started the 2012–13 campaign with the Texas Stars, Dallas’s AHL affiliate. He recorded his first professional point on October 14 in a win over the Charlotte Checkers, and his first professional goal—a game-winner—on October 24. Through his first 13 games, he had one goal and four assists, tying for the team lead among defencemen. Over the next 25 games, he added two goals and 10 assists. His strong play earned him his first NHL call-up on January 15, 2013, though it was brief, and he was soon sent back down. Back in the AHL, he kept producing and was named to the 2012 AHL All-Star Game, leading the Texas Stars and ranking third among all AHL rookies in assists with 20. He was also named the AHL’s Rookie of the Month for January.
Recalled again on January 31, 2013, Oleksiak made his NHL debut on February 1 in a 4–3 win over the Phoenix Coyotes. At 6-foot-7, he became the tallest player ever to suit up for the Dallas Stars. He averaged nearly 16 minutes of ice time over his first five games but went pointless until February 13, when he notched his first NHL assist against the Calgary Flames. He was reassigned the next day, played five games for Texas, and was recalled again on February 24. Despite only five NHL games since February 1, he still led all Stars defencemen in scoring and plus/minus (+20). In total, he played 16 games for Dallas that season, recording two assists, 14 penalty minutes, and 11 shots, though he struggled late with a minus-5 rating.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 21 December 1992
- Birth Place
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 7
- Weight Lb
- 255
- Position
- Defense
- Shoots
- Left
- League
- NHL
- Team
- Vancouver Canucks
- Former Teams
- Dallas Stars / Pittsburgh Penguins / Seattle Kraken
- Ntl Team
- CAN
- Draft
- 14th overall
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Oleksiak attended Northeastern University for one year, recording 13 points on 4 goals and 9 assists with a team-best +13 plus/minus. He then returned to the Canadian Hockey League, signing with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. During the 2011–12 season, he was traded to the Niagara IceDogs. After turning professional, he was assigned to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League for the 2012–13 season. He tallied his first professional point on October 14 and his first professional goal, a game-winner, on October 24. He was named to the 2012 AHL All-Star Game and recognized as the AHL's Rookie of the Month for January. He made his NHL debut on February 1, 2013, becoming the tallest player in Dallas Stars history to play for the team. Over his first stint with Dallas, he changed his jersey number from 43 to 5. He scored his first career NHL goal on October 28, 2014, in a 4–3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. He signed multiple one-year contract extensions with the Stars, including one on July 9, 2015, and another on July 12, 2016. During the 2016–17 season, he experienced his first full NHL season with Dallas, finishing with a career-high five goals and two assists through 41 games. Prior to the 2017–18 trade deadline, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft. At the time of the trade, he had one goal and two assists through 21 games with the Stars. With the Penguins, he established his role as a right-shooting defenceman on the third defensive pairing.
Reader's Guide
Oleksiak's career with the Dallas Stars began with his selection 14th overall in the 2011 NHL entry draft, the highest draft choice in Northeastern University's history. He made his NHL debut on February 1, 2013, and at 6-foot-7 became the tallest player in Dallas Stars history to play for the team. Over several seasons, he moved between the NHL and AHL, contributing to the Texas Stars' 2014 Calder Cup championship. He scored his first NHL goal on October 28, 2014. After signing multiple one-year contracts, he experienced his first full NHL season in 2016–17, recording career highs. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to the 2017–18 trade deadline. His time with Dallas was marked by development through the AHL, periodic NHL recalls, and eventual establishment as a regular NHL defenceman.
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