logo
CanucksArmy has no direct affiliation to the Vancouver Canucks, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, NHL, or NHLPA
New Canucks defenceman Jamie Oleksiak says he’s ready for the rebuild
alt
Photo credit: © Blake Dahlin-Imagn Images
Jeff Paterson
Jul 6, 2026, 18:00 EDT
Comments
For new Vancouver Canucks defenceman Jamie Oleksiak, making the move from Seattle to Vancouver as a free agent presents both new opportunities and a familiar feel. He knows the two cities – despite being separated by an international border – have plenty in common. And the situation he’s gone through after five years with the Kraken has him prepared for what’s to come as he joins a rebuilding hockey club.
Signing a two-year, $10M deal on July 1st, the 33-year-old is ready to bring his rugged style a few hours up the highway. 
“Obviously, this was my first experience being a free agent,” Oleksiak said on an introductory Zoom call with Vancouver media on Monday. “July 1st came along and it was quite the hectic day and the opportunity came to play for the Canucks and I thought it was too good to pass up on. Playing in a Canadian market for a storied franchise like the Canucks and living in Seattle, I came to really appreciate the Pacific Northwest. I’m excited to explore Vancouver and play in front of the fans there and grow with the team, as well. I think it presented a lot of great possibilities so it was tough to turn down. I’m excited.”
The 2011 first-round selection of the Dallas Stars spent two seasons in Pittsburgh before returning to the Lone Star State. He was then plucked by Seattle in the expansion draft to stock the inaugural Kraken roster. With 389 games in the Emerald City, Oleksiak is second only to Adam Larsson in games played for the Kraken. 
Now he’s a Canuck, where he joins a team in transition. He feels strongly his time working through growing pains in Seattle will serve him well as he arrives in Vancouver.
“Obviously going through a similar situation with Seattle, a little different in terms of the expansion draft and whatnot, but trying to establish a culture,” he explained. “Coming in now, I’m more of a veteran player, I guess. I’ve been around the league a while and I can kind of bring my experiences to the team and show up every day with a good work ethic and try to help set the standard and work with some of the young players and the veteran guys they brought in as well. I think it’s going to be a challenge and it’s going to be something that as athletes we always embrace and are really looking forward to.”
The Canucks were drawn to Oleksiak’s stature. Listed at 6’7” and 252 pounds, the Toronto native is an imposing figure and will be looked to as a player who can provide some muscle in his own zone. He was fifth on the Kraken in shorthanded time on ice last season, averaging 1:39 per game. That certainly feels like a role he’ll step into in Vancouver.
“You look at the guys we brought in between myself, [Brendan] Gallagher and [Luke] Schenn, I think all three of us bring sandpaper and experience and some steadiness as well,” he said. “So I think my goal really is to come in and put in the work on a daily basis and hopefully lead by example. I think that’s kind of what’s been a key to my career and I just want more of that.”
Oleksiak will be entering his 15th season in the NHL in the fall, so he’s been through the battles, including playing 27 games on the Stars’ run to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. 
He says he doesn’t know many of the players on the Canucks’ roster, but he’s eager to start this latest chapter of his career.
“I’ve talked to Schenn a little bit,” he said. “Obviously, he’s spent some time in Vancouver, so he’s a good resource to have. He’s familiar with the city and familiar with what it means to be a Canuck. I think we’re fortunate to have him on the squad. I played with Gallagher at World Juniors years and years ago. It’s been a long time, but I’m familiar with his game from being around the league. And then being in Seattle, we faced Vancouver a lot. I know they have a lot of young players, so I don’t know them as much, but I’m excited to get there and get acclimated with the group and get to know everybody.”
With the Canucks trading Marcus Pettersson last week, the team has a hole to fill on the left side of its defence. It’s certainly hoping that Jamie Oleksiak is ready to step in and bring his hard-nosed brand of hockey to a team that can use that grit.
Sponsored by bet365
Editorials
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News