Kyle Okposo has decided to retire from the NHL.
In an open letter, he shared his dreams of playing in the NHL and the friendships he made. His career spanned 17 seasons, 1,051 games, and one Stanley Cup win. Drafted seventh overall by the Islanders in 2006 after winning the USHL Clark Cup with Des Moines Buccaneers, he had two strong years at the University of Minnesota before going pro.
Okposo quickly proved himself in the AHL and was called up to the NHL after just 35 games. He scored five points in his first nine games and ended his rookie season with 18 goals and 39 points. He became a key player for New York, peaking at 27 goals and 69 points in the 2013-14 season. In 2016, he joined Buffalo on a seven-year deal.
Buffalo Sabres Era:
Joining Buffalo wasn’t easy as they struggled to make playoffs during his eight years there. Despite routine concussions , Okposo remained a consistent scorer, often nearing 45 points per season. His dedication earned him captaincy in 2022 after Jack Eichel left for Vegas.
Fans might think it’s sad that such a dedicated player never got more playoff opportunities with Buffalo.
At age 35, nearing retirement, Buffalo traded him to Florida Panthers at the trade deadline in exchange for a fifth-round pick and Calle Sjalin’s rights. In Florida, he played only six regular-season games without scoring but made an impact during playoffs with two assists in 17 games.
His efforts helped Florida win their first Stanley Cup since joining them; it was also Okposo’s first postseason appearance since leaving New York Islanders back in ’16! Ending on high note!
He hinted about staying involved: “Thirty years of playing hockey was incredible… I’m excited about contributing as game grows.”
What do you think about Okposo retiring?
