The biggest player in the NHL at 29 years old, Oleksiak now goes by his enduring “Big Rig” moniker from his junior days in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and is creating a very different personal path.
A left-handed shooter who can play on both sides of the blue line, he will be relied upon by the Kraken team as a top-four defensive staple after receiving $23 million over five seasons as its expansion-draft choice from the Dallas Stars last month.
Jamie Oleksiak Parents: Meet Richard Oleksiak and Alison Oleksiak
Their parents were also sports people.
6-foot-8 Buffalo native Richard Oleksiak, 73, is in the sports hall of fame at the exclusive Nichols prep school in that city. He also lettered in track and rugby at Colgate University.
Elite Scottish swimmer Alison Oleksiak came close to competing at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow before the U.S.-led boycott.