- Steve Oleksy is running for mayor of Edgewater, Florida
- The former NHL enforcer and 2016 Stanley Cup winner is campaigning on the slogan “Even Steven, a voice for everyone”
- Read below for his platform and the endorsement from his wife Brooke, daughter of the late Hulk Hogan
Steve Oleksy is trading hockey for politics.
The former Capitals and Hershey Bears defenseman is running for mayor of Edgewater, Florida. He made it official this week with an open letter and a campaign graphic on Instagram and Facebook, rolling out the slogan “Even Steven, a voice for everyone.” Take a look at his announcement:
Oleksy, 40, spent his NHL career as a regular fighter and depth defenseman before winning the 2016 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. His name is actually on the trophy, which puts him a notch above some of the recent Cup engraving debates.
He and his wife Brooke moved to Edgewater two years ago after visiting the town for close to a decade. In his letter, Oleksy leaned on his playing days to make the pitch.
“As a former professional athlete, I’ve learned that good leadership starts with listening, working together, and always putting the team first,” Oleksy wrote. “That’s exactly how I would serve as your mayor.”
Flooding, protecting local waterways, and managing growth are the issues he says pushed him into the race. He also promised to introduce himself the old-fashioned way, one conversation at a time.
His first endorsement came from home. His wife Brooke, the daughter of the late Hulk Hogan, backed him publicly on July 1:
The race won’t be quiet. Oleksy entered at the end of June and will challenge incumbent mayor Diezel DePew, who was first elected in 2022 at 18 years old and later drew national attention, including a Jimmy Kimmel Live segment. Retired businessman Wayne McCloskey rounds out the three-man field.
The candidate hasn’t strayed far from the rink either. He suited up for eight games with the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen in 2025-26 before turning his attention to the campaign trail.
Edgewater voters will decide in the fall whether the enforcer-turned-candidate lands the job.
