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Olli Jokinen To Retire With The Florida Panthers

By Zachary Korcok

Mar 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; St. Louis Blues forward Olli Jokinen (13) during the pre game warm up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; St. Louis Blues forward Olli Jokinen (13) during the pre game warm up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Friday March 3rd, it was announced that former Panther Olli Jokinen would retire as a Florida Panther.

Olli Jokinen, 39, played 1,231 games in the NHL, and registered 750 points. Jokinen is the Panthers’ all time leader in points and was named captain of the Cats during the 2003-2004 season. As some may say, Olli spent his best years here in Sunrise, Florida with the Cats. Let’s take a look back at Olli’s memorable achievement’s.

Olli Jokinen’s Panther Career

Jokinen was drafted 3rd overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997. He was traded to Florida from the New York Islanders at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft along with former and current Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo in exchange for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha.

Olli ended up playing 567 games with the Panthers, and registered a franchise high 419 points. He was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Nick Boynton, Keith Ballard, and a second round draft pick. Olli’s two best seasons here in Florida, were during the 05-06 and 06-07 seasons, where he tallied 89 and 91 points respectively. During those two years, fans of the Panthers will never forget the 38 and 39 goal seasons he put together in both those years.

Jokinen then went on to play with the Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the St. Louis Blues. Statistically, Jokinen is regarded as one of the best “Fins” to lace up the skates.

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Jokinen’s Retirement Ceremony

Jokinen’s retirement ceremony is planned for Tuesday, March 7th, vs. the New York Rangers, another of Jokinen’s former teams. During the second TV timeout of the second period, their will be a video commemorating Olli’s time here in Florida, followed by him being honored on a stage behind the home net.  Don’t forget to tune in to tonight’s game!

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