Olli Jokinen, a Finnish professional ice hockey player, embarked on his NHL journey after being selected third overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Born on December 5, 1978, in Kuopio, Finland, Jokinen's early career in the NHL began with the Kings, where he played for one season before being traded to the New York Islanders in 1999. His time with the Islanders was brief, lasting just one season before he was traded again, this time to the Florida Panthers in 2000.
It was with the Florida Panthers that Jokinen found stability and began to flourish as a player. Over the course of seven seasons with the Panthers, he became known for his scoring ability and leadership on the ice. Jokinen served as the team's captain from 2003 to 2008, a period during which he consistently led the team in points. His best season came in 2006-2007 when he scored 39 goals and added 52 assists, totaling 91 points. Despite his individual success, the Panthers struggled to make the playoffs during his tenure.
In 2008, Jokinen was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, where he played for part of a season before being moved to the Calgary Flames in 2009. His time with the Flames was marked by a brief stint with the New York Rangers in 2010, after which he returned to Calgary. Jokinen's second tenure with the Flames saw him regain some of his scoring touch, and he remained with the team until 2012.
Jokinen then signed with the Winnipeg Jets, where he played for two seasons. His role with the Jets was more of a veteran presence, providing experience and depth to the team's lineup. In 2014, he joined the Nashville Predators, but his time there was short-lived as he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs later that season. Jokinen's NHL career concluded with a brief stint with the St. Louis Blues in 2015.
Throughout his NHL career, Jokinen was known for his durability and offensive skills, playing in over 1,200 games and scoring more than 300 goals. Internationally, he represented Finland in numerous tournaments, including the Winter Olympics and the World Championships, earning several medals and accolades for his performances.
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