Photo credit: Kyle Mace of SHOE
News broke on Monday night that the Caps have signed their second fighter in a week. This time it’s Hershey’s 27-year-old defender, Steve Oleksy.
Sweetest Hockey on Earth superstar Kyle Mace writes about Steve Oleksy all the time, so we’re giving him the floor to introduce us to the new Caps’ latest acquisition:
Steve Oleksy (pronounced OH-lexi) is one of the team leaders for the Hershey Bears. This call up is his first shot at the NHL. He leads the Bears in penalty minutes, mostly due to fights caused by sticking up for his teammates. Off the ice, Oleksy is one of the most down-to-earth players you will meet. Very involved on Twitter, Oleksy is the founder and president of Eastside Elite Hockey, a summer hockey league that helps players stay in shape.
The Chesterfield, Michigan native will be a good addition to the Caps blue line. Oates watched Oleksy earlier this season as an assistant to Mark French during the lockout. Don’t be surprised to see Steve throw his body around. Despite being only six feet tall and weighing just 190, he is still a big force on the ice.
Read about Steve Oleksy on SHOE.
And here’s the Capitals press release:
Capitals Sign and Recall Steven Oleksy from Hershey
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Steven Oleksy to a one-year contract and recalled him from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Oleksy, 27, has recorded two goals, 12 assists and 151 penalty minutes in 55 games with Hershey this season. He currently leads the Bears and ranks third among AHL defensemen in penalty minutes. The 6’, 190-pound defenseman spent last season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, appearing in 50 games posting one goal, 14 assists and 98 penalty minutes. He also tied for third on the team with a plus-16 efficiency rating.
The Chesterfield, Michigan native was originally signed by Hershey on July 2, 2012. He will participate in Washington’s morning skate tomorrow at 10 am at Kettler Capitals Iceplex and will wear No. 61 for the Capitals.
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