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Coffee and homemade rinks: How former Capital Steven Oleksy is keeping busy off the ice

By Mike DePrisco

How former Capital Steven Oleksy is keeping busy off the ice originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Even though his playing career is over, former Capitals defenseman Steven Oleksy hasn’t slowed down. In fact, he might be busier off the ice than he ever was on it. 

Oleksy joined Alan May and Craig Laughlin on Capitals Pregame Live Thursday night to reminisce about his playing days but also discuss his many post-retirement ventures, including a budding coffee company and his thriving summer league. 

“I started [coffee] later on in my career, trying to find a way to get out and things like that as we get older,” Oleksy said. “So I turned to coffee, and I was doing coffee for me, my friends, my family, my teammates, so I decided to take it a step further and I started a coffee company, ‘Elite Coffee Co.'” 

Founded in Michigan in 2020, Oleksy hopes to take his coffee company further by creating custom blends for players and celebrities. Maybe even a custom coffee line for Laughlin as well. 

“The plan is to roll out custom blends for players, and media personnel, so I’ll have to talk about [Laughlin’s] coffee likes and dislikes,” Oleksy said. 

Oleksy’s story is an inspirational one. He was never supposed to make it to the NHL, he wasn’t drafted and spent eight years working his way through the minors before catching on with the Caps in 2013. Once he got there he stayed within the organization, whether with Caps or the Hershey Bears, until 2015. 

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Then, he made his way over to Pittsburgh, spending two years with their AHL affiliate before getting called up to the show the same year the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2017. It wasn’t the most common path to take to the NHL and an eventual Stanley Cup championship, but not every player gets to be a high draft pick and enjoy a successful 10-year career. 

The thought that he’d never make it to the NHL is actually what prompted him to start Eastside Elite Hockey, a popular summer league that features players from every level. 

“I never expected to make a career playing hockey so I always wanted to have something to step to,” Oleksy said. “As I developed it, it was a summer league for all the top pro, college and junior guys and we’ve kind of moved into AAA. One of the things I’ve enjoyed teaching guys is I can speak on experiences, and my ride isn’t obviously the one you draw up in a notebook when you’re growing up, so I like to talk to them about the mental side of things.

“I generally deal with about 450 hockey players from youth level, high school, women’s hockey, pro, college, junior,” he said. “I like to share my experiences with them and understand their story as well, so it’ll help me educate guys in the future or women in the future as well.” 

Another advantage of retirement after a long run playing hockey for 16 different teams at several levels of the game is extra time with family. Oleksy has enjoyed the time with his brother, dad and nephew, just not in a relaxed way. 

They built an ice rink outside in his dad’s backyard, because of course they did. 

“With me playing and being away for the seasons, my dad and brother put in a lot of sweat equity into that ice arena,” Oleksy said. “It’s the first time in six years we’ve had consistent cold weather here in Michigan and we were able to play on it. Last Saturday, we had a pickup game. It was the first of many, I’m sure, and hopefully the weather cooperates with us.

“For me, my father, my brother and my nephew to be able to skate on the same rink all at the same time and in my parents’ backyard is something very very special.”

Kyle Kuzma outlines his priorities for 2023 NBA Free Agency

By Chase Hughes
Kuzma outlines his priorities for free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonWASHINGTON -- Kyle Kuzma sat across from Wizards president Tommy Sheppard on Saturday in Sheppard's office at the team's practice facility in Southeast D.C., as the two conducted Kuzma's exit interview to put a cap on his 2022-23 season. The conversation, which lasted about a half-hour, will likely be one of many in the coming months between the Wizards and Kuzma's camp as they aim to re-sign the 27-year-old to a new contract and keep him in Washington.Kuzma, though, will surely have plenty of options. He's played his way into a prime opportunity to cash in on what could be the best contract of his career, a multi-year deal that may reach nine figures. He is an ascending player who has proven he can be a key ingredient on a winning team who draws rave reviews as a teammate both on and off the court.Kuzma told NBC Sports Washington he plans to go through the full free agent process, meaning hearing pitches from different teams. But he also reminded reporters on Saturday the Wizards are well-positioned to bring him back."It's 100 percent an option... I've had a great time here," Kuzma said "I've developed my game significantly here and there's good people here. I'd be a fool to say it's not an option for me."Kuzma arrived in Washington via trade in the summer of 2021 having played four years with the Lakers. He held career averages of 15.2 points and 5.6 rebounds in L.A., but in two years with the Wizards has seen those numbers jump to 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. This season he has averaged a career-high 21.2 points.His shooting percentages have stayed remarkably stable. With the Lakers, he shot 44.8% from the field and 33.8% from three compared to 45.0% and 33.6% in D.C. But the volume has gone up considerably and his ability to become a playmaker for others has also increased.Kuzma is appreciative of the opportunity the Wizards have given him to spread his wings on offense after he took a backseat to LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers."I've grown tremendously these past two years and Wes [Unseld Jr.], Tommy [Sheppard] and Ted [Leonsis], they all gave me this platform to do this and even be in this situation. I definitely see it here because they do support me," Kuzma said.While this summer will be Kuzma's chance to capitalize on his talents financially, he kept going back to personal development as a key factor in where he chooses to play moving forward. That could work in the Wizards' favor, given how he views the last two years.The question would be, does Kuzma see more room for growth from this point moving forward?"I'm just trying to be myself. I'm trying to get better every year. It's not about money, I'm going to get paid regardless anywhere [I go] and here, too. It's about can I come into work every day and be the best version of myself, can I help lead guys, can I make other players better, can I light up rooms. All those things matter when you're trying to be successful," he said.Kuzma believes he's improved his game every season of his six-year NBA career. Kuzma said he is "irrationally confident" about his potential to keep getting better and that his goal is to "be one of the guys in the league, a top player."That next step for Kuzma could be making the All-Star team for the first time. To do that, he may have to choose a team where a large offensive role can be offered. As he learned the way this year, winning also matters.Kuzma addressed that element of free agency may signal his plans. If he does choose to leave the Wizards, he could theoretically go to a better team, as Washington fell short of the play-in tournament this season.Kuzma, though, offered some nuanced thoughts on the prospect of leaving to join a title contender and how the fact he already has a championship ring plays into that idea."I think you have to have patience. I believe to certain extents what guys like Dame [Lillard] and even Brad [Beal have said], those guys where they talk about how the grass is not always greener and stuff. Just because you go to a contender doesn't mean you're going to win a championship right away because health can be a factor," Kuzma said."It sounds good and looks good on paper, but does it look good on the court? Those things matter, but at the same time I am trying to win. I do want to compete at high levels. That's why I play this game because I'm a junkie and I love it. Life's always better when you're winning."Perhaps Kuzma can find everything he's looking for this summer all in one place.
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