Jamie Oleksiak Fast Facts
Number: 24 Position: Defense
DOB: 12/21/92 Hometown: Toronto, Ontario Height: 6-7 Weight: 252
How Acquired By Kraken: 2021 Expansion Draft
NHL Seasons as of 2025: 13
Previous NHL Teams: Dallas, 2012-2017 and 2018-21; Pittsburgh, 2017-18
Career Bests: Goals-9 (2022-23), Points-25 (2022-23), +/- +13 (’17-’18 & ’22-’23)
Notable: A dual citizen, Oleksiak has played internationally for both Team USA and Team Canada.
Seattle Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak was involved in one of the weirdest pair of transactions in NHL history. On Dec. 19, 2017, the Dallas Stars traded Oleksiak to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2019 4th round draft pick. Just over one year later, the two teams made the exact same swap, in reverse. Pittsburgh regained its pick, and Dallas regained its 6-foot-7 defender.
Growing to 6-7 wasn’t all that surprising, considering that dad Richard is an inch taller. What is surprising, even to Kraken teammates, are the flashes of offense Oleksiak is capable of. “He’s got more offense to his game than I thought,” fellow defenseman Brandon Montour said of Oleksiak. “He can make skill plays. Nice, solid, crisp passes. I think when we’re simple together and play the right way, it turns out well. Obviously, the defense speaks for itself.”
His hits speak for themselves, too, including a career-high 182 in the Kraken’s expansion season. However, the man nicknamed “Big Rig” remains respectful of opponents. “The game happens so fast that things happen, but I think for the most part, I’m not necessarily looking for the big blow-up hit. I’m looking for the end to the play for the guy on the wall and to try and move the puck up to a forward. It’s just a matter of being smart about it and not trying to be too overly aggressive.”
More Jamie Oleksiak fun facts: He hasn’t missed a game in the past two seasons. He’s a historical literature buff, and has even traveled to locations of historical importance. Among his many tattoos are a Polish eagle to honor his father, Scottish thistles to honor his mother, and maple leaves to recognize his birth in Canada.
Jamie joined many of the Oleksiak clan and friends in Paris to watch sister Penny – a Canadian swimming champion – in relay events at the 2024 Olympics. Penny’s medal count in her Summer Games career totals seven, still a record for a Canadian athlete. Jamie has three words for watching his sister in competition: “Exciting and stressful.”
If you’re imagining an Oleksiak family get-together with Penny in goggles, swim cap and Speedo, and Jamie in helmet, skates and “S” sweater, think again. “We do a pretty good job of putting our jobs aside and just being siblings,” Jamie explains. “She’s still my little sister.”
The pair get along (sorry for this) swimmingly. To the point Jamie once revealed in a TSN interview, “I’ve been doing a little swim training myself. I might have to race Penny.” One condition he set for the proposed match: “A long, long head start.” Pressed further, Jamie admitted, “I’m more of a sinker” than a swimmer.”