Oleksiak lives up to billing at Dallas Stars development camp

MCKINNEY, Texas – There’s little doubt the Dallas Stars’ decision to select Jamie Oleksiak in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft will bear bear fruit in the not too distant future. When the 6′ 7″, 240 lb. defenseman took the ice at the Dr. Pepper StarCenter in McKinney, Texas on Friday afternoon, the first day of the Stars’ annual development camp, all the hype about the 18-year-old’s skill set was readily apparent .  During the two-hour session, Oleksiak demonstrated his speed and mobility and more importantly, his overall coordination and stick handling skills. Though he seemed to struggle with the quickness and sharpness of his turns and pivots, he skates well and has good balance for a player of his stature. 

Oleksiak lists Boston’s Zdeno Chara as well as Chris Pronger among his favorite players and has said he patterns his style of play after Chara, the player that he has drawn the most comparisons to. “Obviously, I try and take away as much as possible from a lot of players in the NHL, but if I had to narrow it down to one player, I’d probably say Zdeno Chara,” Oleksiak said last week after being drafted by the Stars. “He’s a guy I really look up to and someone I really enjoy his style of play and try and model my game after. I think he’s had great success and that’s something I want to do.” Oleksiak played for Northeastern University last season after two years in the United States Hockey League with the Chicago Steel and the Sioux Falls Stampede, respectively. He was the Huskies’ second-highest scoring defenseman with 13 points (4 G, 9 A) and 57 penalty minutes in 38 games played and finished with a team-best +13 rating. Whether he’ll return to Northeastern in the fall is still up in the air. The team is in the process of serching for a new head coach after Greg Cronin departed last month to become an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Oleksiak, who in the past noted Northeastern’s coaching staff as a major draw, addressed the question on Saturday. “Obviously, we don’t want to make a decision until Northeastern finds a head coach. I don’t think that would be fair,” Oleksiak said. “The program has been phenomenal and I’m just waiting to see what coach they bring in. My ultimate goal is to play professional hockey one day, so it’s a matter of where I’ll do most of my developing or developing more to get ready for that next level.” Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk and director of scouting and player development Les Jackson have both indicated that they are leaning toward having Oleksiak return to Northeastern.
“If he goes to junior, he gives up the chance for a great education at Northeastern, but that’s up to his family,” Jackson said.
Note: Oleksiak’s Major Junior rights are held by the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit.
Oleksiak seemed to have fun despite the hard work during Friday and Saturday’s on-ice sessions. The players will have a 90-minute session on Sunday morning and a two-hour session in the afternoon. On Monday, the focus will be on team-building activities for the Fourth of July.  Contact the writer/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com