Late WWE icon Hulk Hogan’s estranged son-in-law, former NHL star Steve Oleksy, has broken his silence on his father-in-law’s passing on social media less than a week after his death.
Hogan, who passed away on Thursday at 71, had an estranged relationship with both his daughter, Brook Hogan, and her husband, Oleksy, who is spent known for his stints with the Washington Capitals and rival Pittsburgh Penguins.
Now, the longtime hockey pro has released a statement from himself and Brooke, as the couple breaks cover a day after the WWE paid tribute to one of its most popular stars of all-time.
‘My wife and I have not released any official statement about the death of my father in law,’ Oleksy said on Instagram, with a photo of the trio as the background.
‘We are grieving and processing privately and ask for the respect to do so. If you see or hear something it did not come from us. There are many disturbing AI videos circulating that do not represent our family, feelings, or opinions. Thank you very much for the love, support, and understanding.’
Brooke and Hulk, whose real name is Terry Bollea, last reportedly spoke to each other in September of 2023 – two weeks before Hogan married his third wife, Sky.
Hulk Hogan’s estranged son-in-law, former NHL star Steve Oleksy, has broken his silence
Oleksy spoke on Hogan’s passing for the first time since the WWE icon died last Thursday
Oleksy married Brooke Hogan in 2022 amid the family feud between father and daughter
On that call, Brooke expressed love and concern for her father – telling him that he shouldn’t be working so hard due to his declining health. Despite her pleas for him to enjoy more of his life, those requests fell on deaf ears. The pair didn’t speak again.=, per TMZ.
Brooke and Hulk were estranged for a number of years and it’s said she first learned of his death when her brother, Nick, texted Oleksy to share the news.
The outlet also claims that Hulk apologized to Brooke on the call, but it wasn’t clear what that apology was for.
TMZ also reported that Brooke was concerned with what was going on in Hulk’s life and was protective of him. However, their relationship wasn’t reparable.
Despite multiple attempts from her husband to fix their relationship, including when Brooke almost died in childbirth, Hulk ‘responded coldly and never made an effort to meet Brooke’s kids’, TMZ says. The outlet added that Hulk seemingly ‘only wanted a relationship with her under his terms’.
In April, the Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Hogan was ‘heartbroken’ about his ongoing family feud – specifically with Brooke.
‘The massive uphill battle might finally be taking place,’ an inside source told us. ‘Hogan is finally hearing and listening to those that have been thrown in different directions by his behavior. He is looking to make up for past bad decisions.’
While it’s said that Hogan wanted to stay as ‘far away from Linda as possible’, our source added: ‘He’s heartbroken that he doesn’t have a relationship with his daughter and would love someday to rectify that.
Daily Mail reported Hogan wanted to fix his relationship with Brooke (second L) in his final days
‘As this current drama has occurred and all the s*** that he has gone through piles on to itself, he is finally looking to see if he can make amends and help rather than hurt.
‘He knows that many will think it is a boy who cried wolf situation, and it will be hard to trust him – but he is looking to do the work.
‘Nothing will be overnight but now that his daughter and his ex-wife have said their things, he is taking it to heart and hopefully it will lead to a change for the better.’
That sadly never happened, as Hogan passed on Thursday morning.
Oleksy last played professional hockey in 2023 for the Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He last played in the NHL in 2017.
