I originally wrote the title of Saturday’s article about Steve Oleksy as a joke, because there was no way I could see Oleksy trying to return to hockey after walking away in 2023. As you can see at left, that comeback ended two days and two games after he signed a deal with the Icemen, when Jacksonville released Oleksy on Sunday before heading to Atlanta for the third game in three days against the Gladiators. And with that, it looks like Steve is returning to family life.After taking a blow Friday in a game in which Oleksy recorded a high minor penalty, Jacksonville was back on the ice Saturday as the Icemen posted a 4-3 victory over Atlanta. Oleksy didn’t do anything of note in the game, despite skating as a forward, and he was the only player on Jacksonville’s roster not to make a shot. I’m not here to say the game may be faster than the 39-year-old Oleksy can handle, but he may have been out of his element.
I want to give Oleksy some credit, though, because I’m not sure there are many guys in their late 30s who can make the transition to professional hockey after three years off the ice. This is the same problem the Winnipeg Jets are facing with their Jonathan Toews reclamation project, and it’s not going well by all measures. Full marks to Steve Oleksy for giving one last chance, but his release yesterday should spell the end of his professional hockey career.
As I wrote on Saturday, Oleksy should get used to family life again with his wife Brooke and their twins who will soon celebrate their first birthday. That’s a big moment for all parents, and Steve Oleksy can be there for the occasion, instead of sitting on the bus somewhere, heading to the next ECHL city, eating another night of cheap pizza after 15 minutes of hard skating. Oleksy played 73 matches on the three-team show – he has nothing left to prove.
He can now work on becoming the best husband and father he can be, and I imagine this will bring him far more satisfaction and riches than a previous season in the ECHL at age 39 ever will.
When it comes to the Icemen, Steve Oleksy was there for a long time, not long. His release yesterday means he can go home and join the team that needs him most: his family!
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
#fast