That Was Quick

I originally wrote the title of Saturday's article about Steve Oleksy as a joke because I couldn't see any way that Oleksy was trying to come back to hockey after walking away in 2023. As you can see to the left, that comeback ended two days and two games after signing a deal with the Icemen as Jacksonville released Oleksy on Sunday before heading to Atlanta for the third game in three days against the Gladiators. And with that, it's back to family life for Steve, it seems.

After Jacksonville got thumped on Friday in a game where Oleksy recorded a high-sticking minor penalty, he was back on the ice Saturday as the Icemen recorded a 4-3 win over Atlanta. Oleksy did nothing of note in the game despite skating as a forward, and he was the only player on the Jacksonville roster not to record a shot. I'm not here to say that the game may be faster than the 39 year-old Oleksy can handle, but he may have been out of his element.

I'll give Oleksy some credit, though, because I'm not sure there are many guys in their late-thirties who can jump into professional hockey after spending three years off the ice. This is the same issue that the Winnipeg Jets are seeing with their reclamation project in Jonathan Toews, and it's not going well by all measures. Full marks to Steve Oleksy for giving it one last shot, though, but being released yesterday should spell the end of his professional hockey career.

As I wrote on Saturday, Oleksy should settle back into family life with his wife, Brooke, and their twins who are coming up on their first birthdays. That's a big moment for all parents, and Steve Oleksy can be there for the occasion as opposed to being on a bus somewhere, heading for the next ECHL city and another night of eating cheap pizza after skating hard for fifteen minutes. Oleksy played 73 games in the show with three teams - he has nothing left to prove.

He can now work on being the best husband and dad he can possibly be, and I would imagine that will bring him far more satisfaction and riches than one last season in the ECHL at age 39 ever will.

When it comes to the Icemen, Steve Oleksy was there for a good time, not a long time. Getting released yesterday means he can go home and rejoing the team that needs him the most: his family!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!