By Carl Chimenti –
The Saginaw Spirit have bolstered their blue line for the upcoming season, with defenseman Jamie Oleksiak deciding to leave college hockey for the OHL.
Oleksiak is a big body at 6-foot-7, 240 pounds and was a first round selection (14th overall), by the Dallas Stars in June’s NHL Draft. The Toronto, Ontario native played college hockey last season as a freshman at Northeastern University. Spirit head coach and general manager Todd Watson says he will definitely bring size to the back end.
“He is a big player and will be a core part of our team,” said Watson, who is starting his fourth season as head coach. “I think he is ready to play at the OHL level. Obviously he will have to make some adjustments and get used to the league, but I believe this is a good, next step up for him.”
Saginaw managing partner and president Craig Goslin could hardly contain his enthusiasm.
“We really feel that with Oleksiak signing, we have a championship-caliber roster this season,” Goslin said. “This addition means the Saginaw Spirit team now has the deepest collection of players in our 10-year history and with Oleksiak, he will just compliment our roster that much more.”
The decision to join the Spirit was made by Oleksiak and his family, and contrary to what some might think, the Dallas Stars management had no influence in the matter.
“We had no say in his choice to join the OHL from the collegiate ranks,” said Les Jackson, director of player personnel for the Dallas Stars. “Northeastern is a good program with an outstanding coaching staff. Jamie just felt that his opportunity to develop would be better served at the Major Junior level. Saginaw gives him an opportunity to mirror what the NHL schedule is like, with more games and a highly competitive league.”