Steven Oleksy is one of Lake Superior State's great success stories. In the 2004-05 season, he competed at the Junior B level. Two seasons later, he was a fixture in the Laker lineup as a dependable defenseman, arriving with just three years of eligibility. After signing pro in the ECHL and spending 28 games in the UHL in 2009-10, Oleksy continued to build his career, eventually reaching the NHL in the 2012-13 season with the Washington Capitals. He notched an assist in his NHL debut, marking an incredible rise through the ranks.

But he wasn't done yet.

After leaving the Capitals in 2015, Oleksy signed a one year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. On June 12, 2016, Steven Oleksy won the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh, having his name engraved on one of the greatest prizes in sports.

He continued playing professionally for several years, largely in the AHL where he was an assistant captain for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and San Diego. After sitting out the 2020-21 season, he returned to the ECHL level and played sporadically over the next few seasons. Following two years away from the game, Oleksy returned to pro hockey in 2025-26 with the Jacksonville Icemen, tallying one assist in eight games.

Senior: Played in 38 games, tallying nine assists. He was a +11 in his final year of eligibility and parlayed his reputation as a solid defender to a pro contract with the ECHL's Las Vegas Wranglers at the end of the season, making two appearances.

Junior (2007-08): Scored his only goal of the season during a 3-3 overtime tie at Western Michigan (2/8)... Led the Lakers in blocked shots with 49... Totaled2-9--11 while competing for Team USA, which finished 4-2 and placedf ourth at the International Ice Hockey Federation InLine World Championship held in Bratislava, Slovakia in June, 2008.

Sophomore (2006-07): Scored his first two collegiate goals at Joe Louis Arena during the Lakers' season-ending 7-6 overtime loss to Michigan State (3/17) during the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoffs... Finished 2-1--3 in seven CCHA Playoff games... Notched his first career assist during the Lakers' 3-0 victory over Wayne State (11/17).

Prior to LSSU: The first Traverse City North Stars (North American Hockey League) player who has seen regular duty in a TC uniform to land a college scholarship... Led North Stars defensemen in scoring in 2005-06 with 11 goals and 19 assists in 57 games... Was 10th in the NAHL in scoring among defensemen... Also served as team captain... Played for the Metro Jets of the Central States Hockey League (Junior B) in 2004-05... Helped lead the Great Lakes Panthers to a MAHA national title in 2000...A four-year letter winner in baseball for L'Anse Creuse North High School in Macomb, Mich.

Personal: Son of Andrew and Susan Oleksy...Brother (Daniel) played hockey at Oakland University from 2000-06... A 2004 graduate of L'Anse Creuse North HighSchool... Majoring in business management.

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