Dual decision

Some habits die hard for Jamie Oleksiak.

The hulking behemoth and dual Canadian-U.S. citizen holds two passports, but brought just one for his first season in the Ontario Hockey League. After leaving Northeastern University for the Saginaw Spirit, Oleksiak carries the passport he doesn't intend on representing during the holiday season.

"You might not want to put that on record -- I might get some heat for that you know," said Oleksiak, smiling as he realizes his American passport could send the wrong message. "It just seems to be easier crossing the border and whatnot with an American passport. That was the thinking behind that."

The 6-foot-7, 252-pound rookie defenceman of the Spirit has every intention of representing Canada at the upcoming world juniors, even if his Canadian passport is nestled away in his family's Toronto home.

Oleksiak made the two biggest decisions of his hockey-playing future last summer, choosing the Maple Leaf over the stars and stripes, and then bolting for the Ontario Hockey League after two semesters in the NCAA.

Options are aplenty now for the late bloomer, a tall and lanky kid not noticed for much more than his size on a team with Tyler Seguin and Jeff Skinner in his OHL draft season.

"I still hadn't grown into my body," he said of those days when he chose to pursue hockey south of the border. "Early on I thought it was the way to go."

Fast forward four years and Oleksiak practically has organizations and schools fighting for his playing services. A first-round pick of the Dallas Stars, Oleksiak could have spent his sophomore season at Northeastern, but felt he could grow much more by playing in the OHL this season.

"I wanted to take a year and focus on hockey," he said. "I thought a year of just playing pure hockey and focusing on that and focusing on developing me on and off the ice was really critical to my development. It's been great so far."

He's been compared to Zdeno Chara and Tyler Myers, but his story, not to mention playing style, more closely resembles that of the Buffalo Sabres' defenceman. Like Oleksiak, Myers carried two passports, originally representing the country with the star-spangled banner. But since neither represented the United States in an International Ice Hockey Federation sanctioned event, they still had time to change their minds.

For Myers, it was the realization his development came after his family moved from Texas to Calgary. In Oleksiak's case, it came down to which country wanted him more.

"Canada showed a lot more interest this year I guess and kind of showed I could be a critical part of their team," said Oleksiak, who attended Canada's summer evaluation camp. "Having the opportunity and be part of the Team Canada program was real phenomenal."

Oleksiak's international-playing future could have been determined last December. He attended USA Hockey's selection camp, but was cut and didn't get the opportunity to play for the home country in his father's hometown.

"The fact (the world juniors) were in Buffalo, which is kind of a second hometown for me, would have been a fun experience for me," he said.

Now he'll have the chance to represent the home country for the second time.

"There's a lot of pressure, but it's a lot of fun too," he said.

Pressure comes in many forms for Oleksiak. While he would appear to have the nod to play for Canada in Calgary and Edmonton after Christmas, any player with his towering size can't help but receive those lofty comparisons to Chara and Myers. His new coach in Saginaw did his best to downplay them.

"What's the point?" Spirit head coach and general manager Todd Watson asked. "He's Jamie Oleksiak. He's who he is."

"I've heard a lot of Tyler Myers comparisons and to just be half as good as that guy would be a real honour for me," Oleksiak said. "He's definitely someone I look up to and try and learn off of."

Although he's just three games into his OHL career, Oleksiak is noticing the difference between the NCAA and OHL extends beyond the schedule. As a bigger player, he's learning to become less timid physically since a big hit in the OHL doesn't always translate into a penalty.

"Having the opportunity to play in the OHL and kind of be able to implement that in my game more when you're playing guys that are a bit bigger, a little more physical, will definitely be better for my development," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for me right now. It's just a matter of taking it and running with it and making the most of the opportunity."