| Olli Jokinen | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 5, 1978 Kuopio, FIN |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) |
| Position | Centre |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL team Former teams |
Calgary Flames KalPa HIFK Los Angeles Kings New York Islanders Florida Panthers EHC Kloten Södertälje SK Phoenix Coyotes New York Rangers |
| National team | Finland |
| NHL Draft | 3rd overall, 1997 Los Angeles Kings |
| Playing career | 1995–present |
Olli Jokinen (born December 5, 1978) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings third overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft with whom he made his NHL debut. He has also played for the New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes and New York Rangers. He began his professional career with KalPa and then HIFK of the Finnish SM-liiga. Additionally, he played for EHC Kloten of the Swiss National League A and Södertälje SK of the Swedish Elitserien.
Jokinen began his professional career in his native Finland in 1996 and in 1997 won the Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy as SM-liiga rookie of the year. He won the Matti Keinonen and Jari Kurri trophies in 1998 as the most effective player of the regular season and most valuable player of the playoffs, respectively. He moved to the NHL full time in 1998–99 and played his best seasons with the Panthers, with whom he served as captain from 2003 to 2008 and played in the 2003 All-Star Game. Jokinen has the dubious record of playing the most regular season games without making a playoff appearance. He played 799 games before finally reaching the post-season with the Flames in 2009.[1]
Internationally, Jokinen has played for Finland on numerous occasions. He was an all-star and named best forward of the 1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, leading his nation to the gold medal. He is a three-time Olympian, winning a silver medal at the 2006 Turin Games and bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games. He has won two silver and three bronze medals at the World Championships and played for the Finnish team that finished second to Canada at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey
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Jokinen began with his hometown team, KalPa, playing for the squad's under-18 and junior teams between 1994 and 1996. He made his debut with the senior team in the SM-liiga in 1995–96, appearing in 15 games, scoring one goal and one assist.[2] He moved onto HIFK in 1996–97 where he played full time with the senior squad. He was the youngest player on the team, and in 50 games, scored 14 goals and 41 points.[3] He was recognized as the SM-liiga's rookie of the year, and was presented with the Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy.[2]
The National Hockey League (NHL)'s Central Scouting Bureau rated Jokinen as the top European prospect for the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings with the third overall selection, after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.[4] He began the 1997–98 season with the Kings, making his NHL debut on October 1, 1997, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[3] He was held pointless in eight games, however, and the Kings chose to return him to HIFK to complete the season.[5]
Jokinen played 30 games with HIFK, scoring 39 points. He added another nine points in nine playoff games as the team won the SM-liiga championship.[2][6] He won the Matti Keinonen and Jari Kurri trophies in 1998 as the most effective player of the regular season and most valuable player of the playoffs, respectively.
Returning to North America, Jokinen began the 1998–99 season with the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. He earned a recall to Los Angeles after nine games, in which he scored nine points.[2] He recorded his first NHL point on November 5, 1998, with an assist in a game against the St. Louis Blues then scored his first NHL goal five nights later against the Calgary Flames. Jokinen was named the NHL's rookie of the month for November, scoring 8 points in 11 games.[3] He finished the season with 21 points in 66 games played.[2] Following the season on June 20, 1999, Jokinen was traded to the New York Islanders, along with Josh Green, Mathieu Biron and a first round selection at that year's draft in exchange for Žigmund Pálffy, Bryan Smolinski, Marcel Cousineau and a fourth round selection. Jokinen was considered the central piece of the deal from New York's perspective as they gave up their top player in Pálffy.[7]
Jokinen played only one season on the Island. He appeared in all 82 games for the Islanders, scoring 21 points.[2] However, he was included in a trade at the 2000 NHL Draft as he was packaged with goaltender Roberto Luongo and sent to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha on June 24, 2000.[8]
In Florida, Jokinen initially did not get along with head coach Terry Murray as the Panthers' bench boss criticized his play while leaving him out of the lineup for several December games during the 2000–01 NHL season.[9] Though he appeared in 78 games for the Panthers, Jokinen's offensive totals fell to a career-low 16 points. He showed a modest improvement to 29 points in 80 games in 2001–02, but Jokinen was increasingly being criticized as a bust. His confidence reached a low point during that season, at one point he contemplated leaving the NHL and returning to Finland.[10]
The 2002–03 season proved to be Jokinen's breakout year. Playing under new coach Mike Keenan and described by general manager Rick Dudley as skating "every shift like it was his last", he scored 11 points in his first 12 games of the season.[11] He equaled his previous career high of 29 points in the 26th game of the season,[10] and finished with a team-leading 36 goals and 65 points.[3] Additionally, he played in his first NHL All-Star Game.[12] Jokinen credited his turnaround to coach Mike Keenan, who launched into a tirade against the player's commitment during the first intermission of a game mere days after he was hired as a mid-season replacement for Murray.[10]
Jokinen had been named an alternate captain of the Panthers prior to the 2002–03 season,[10] and was elevated to captain to begin 2003–04.[2] He again led the team in goals (26) and points (58) and scored his 200th career point on March 10, 2004, with an assist against the Buffalo Sabres.[3] When the 2004–05 NHL season was wiped out by a labour dispute, Jokinen played for several European teams: first EHC Kloten of the Swiss National League A, then Södertälje SK of the Swedish Elitserien, and finaly HIFK back in Finland.[2] Returning to the NHL in 2005–06, Jokinen reached new career highs with 38 goals, 51 assists and 89 points. He played his 500th NHL game on November 19, 2005, against the New York Islanders, and recorded his first hat trick on November 25 against Pittsburgh.[3]
Appearing in all 82 games for the Panthers in 2006–07, Jokinen again set personal bests with 39 goals, 52 assists and 91 points. He fell back to 34 goals and 71 points in 2007–08, but led the Panthers offensively for the fifth consecutive season.[3] He was involved in a frightening accident during a February 10, 2008, game against the Buffalo Sabres. Jokinen was checked by Buffalo forward Clarke MacArthur and as he fell to the ice, his skate came up and struck teammate Richard Zedník in the throat, seriously injuring him.[13] Zedník was nearly killed by the cut and missed the remainder of the season, though he recovered and was able to resume his career.[14]
Jokinen was the subject of trade rumours throughout the season as the Panthers, who had failed to make the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons, looked at ways of improving their club.[15] Florida ultimately traded Jokinen at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He was sent to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Keith Ballard, Nick Boynton and a second round draft pick.[16] Jokinen left the Panthers as the franchise's all time leader in goals (188), assists (231) and points (419).[3]
The 2008–09 NHL season began well for Jokinen, as he recorded 18 points in his first 21 games with the Coyotes. However, a shoulder injury suffered in November 2008 caused him to miss a game for the first time since 2002–03, ending his streak of consecutive games played at 397.[17] He appeared in 57 games for the Coyotes but did not finish the season in Phoenix. The Calgary Flames acquired him, along with a third round draft pick, on March 4, 2009, in exchange for Matthew Lombardi, Brandon Prust and Calgary's first round selection at the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[18]
The deal was an immediate benefit to the Flames, as Jokinen had one of the best starts for a newly acquired player in team history, scoring 10 points in his first six games, and was named the NHL's second star of the week for March 9–15.[3] However, he fell into a offensive slump toward the end of the season, failing to score in Calgary's last 13 regular season games. However, for the first time in his ten-year NHL career, and after 799 NHL games, Jokinen played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.[19] Earlier in the season while still with Phoenix, Jokinen surpassed Guy Charron's NHL record total of 735 games without ever appearing in a playoff game.[20] Jokinen appeared in six games during the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring five points as the Flames were eliminated in the first round.[2]
Jokinen's offense disappeared in 2009–10, as he scored just three goals in his first 23 games and failed to work well with captain Jarome Iginla. He was criticized by local media, who placed blame on his shoulders for the Flames' failure to make the 2010 playoffs and for failing to live up to the value expected by his US$5.25 million contract.[21] Late in the season, Jokinen was involved in a trade to the New York Rangers, where he was sent with Brandon Prust in exchange for Aleš Kotalík and Christopher Higgins, who had similarly disappointing seasons in New York.[22]
The deal generated controversy after Canadian channel The Sports Network (TSN) had announced that the trade was complete, then claimed that the Flames had balked at completing the deal, believing they would need their players for a scheduled game. Consequently, Jokinen appeared in his final game with the Flames knowing through the media that he was to be traded afterward. When the trade was officially made, Jokinen bluntly described his feelings on the deal: "It’s a brutal business. That’s the way it goes. It comes with the salary. When you make $5 million, 11 goals is not going to cut it. ... It’s definitely a slap in the face to get traded."[23] Jokinen scored 15 points in 21 games with the Rangers.[2] In the final game of the season, New York faced the Philadelphia Flyers with the winner qualifying for the final playoff spot. Regulation time ended with the two teams tied, and the game ultimately went to a shootout. Jokinen came up as the Rangers' final shooter, with Philadelphia leading by one goal. His shot was stopped by Brian Boucher, ending their season.[24]
A free agent following the season, Jokinen chose to return to the Flames, signing a two-year, $6 million contract.[25] The deal generated a strong reaction in Calgary as some fans expressed strong opinions against his reacquisition.[26] Flames' coach Brent Sutter sought to simplify Jokinen's game and force greater defensive responsibility on the forward. He finished the 2010–11 season with 17 goals and 54 points and was praised by his coach.[27]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ice Hockey | ||
| Competitor for Finland | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Silver | 2006 Turin | |
| Bronze | 2010 Vancouver | |
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 1998 Switzerland | |
| Silver | 1999 Norway | |
| Bronze | 2000 Russia | |
| Bronze | 2006 Latvia | |
| Bronze | 2008 Canada | |
| World Cup | ||
| Silver | 2004 Toronto | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 1998 Finland | |
During his career, Olli Jokinen has played for the Finnish National team several times.
In 1997, Jokinen played in the 1997 World Championships which were held in Finland.
In 1998, Jokinen won the 1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, along with players like Niklas Hagman, Mika Noronen, Niklas Backstrom, Niko Kapanen, Toni Dahlman and Eero Somervuori. Jokinen also played in 1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, where Finland lost to Sweden in the Finals.
Jokinen played in 1999 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal after Finland lost to Czech Republic in the Finals.
Jokinen was part of the bronze medal-winning team in 2000 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships as Finland won Canada 2-1.
He went on to represent Finland for the first time in Olympic competition in the 2002 Salt Lake City games, netting 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 4 games.[28]
Jokinen played in the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 tournaments, where Finland was not that successful as they were left without medals on each occasion.
Jokinen however played in 2004 World Cup of Hockey, where Finland surprised everyone and played in the Final against Canada, losing 2 - 1.
Jokinen was part of the 2006 Olympic team, which won Olympic Silver after they lost to Sweden in the Finals. He tallied 8 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in 8 games for the Finns in Turin.[29] Jokinen was also a member of the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships team, which won bronze, beating Canada 5-0.
Jokinen was selected to the 2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships team. Finland won Sweden in the Bronze Medal game 4-0 and Jokinen won his third World Championship Bronze.
He represented Finland for the third time in Olympic competition at the 2010 Vancouver games in February 2010, winning the bronze medal.[30]
Olli Jokinen's older brother, forward Ville Jokinen, played 47 games in SM-liiga, scoring 4 points.[31] They are not related to Carolina Hurricanes forward Jussi Jokinen.
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1995–96 | KalPa | SM-l | 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | HIFK | SM-l | 50 | 14 | 27 | 41 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | HIFK | SM-l | 30 | 11 | 28 | 39 | 32 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1998–99 | Springfield Falcons | AHL | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 66 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | New York Islanders | NHL | 82 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 80 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 78 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 106 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 80 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 98 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 81 | 36 | 29 | 65 | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 82 | 26 | 32 | 58 | 81 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | EHC Kloten | NLA | 8 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Södertälje SK | SEL | 23 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | HIFK | SM-l | 14 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 24 | ||
| 2005–06 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 82 | 38 | 51 | 89 | 88 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 82 | 39 | 52 | 91 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 82 | 34 | 37 | 71 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Phoenix Coyotes | NHL | 57 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 19 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 56 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 53 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | New York Rangers | NHL | 26 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 79 | 17 | 37 | 54 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 960 | 269 | 353 | 622 | 913 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||||
| SM-l totals | 109 | 34 | 64 | 99 | 132 | 14 | 9 | 2 | 11 | 26 | ||||
| NLA totals | 8 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| SEL totals | 23 | 13 | 9 | 22 | 52 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | Team result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Finland | EJC | 5 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | Silver medal |
| 1997 | Finland | WJC | 6 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 12 | Fifth place |
| 1997 | Finland | WC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | Fifth place |
| 1998 | Finland | WJC | 7 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 6 | Gold medal |
| 1998 | Finland | WC | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | Silver medal |
| 1999 | Finland | WC | 10 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | Silver medal |
| 2000 | Finland | WC | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | Bronze medal |
| 2002 | Finland | Oly | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | Sixth place |
| 2002 | Finland | WC | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | Fourth place |
| 2004 | Finland | WC | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 6 | Sixth place |
| 2004 | Finland | WCH | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | Second place |
| 2005 | Finland | WC | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | Seventh place |
| 2006 | Finland | Oly | 8 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 2 | Silver medal |
| 2006 | Finland | WC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 27 | Bronze medal |
| 2008 | Finland | WC | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 29 | Bronze medal |
| 2010 | Finland | Oly | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Bronze medal |
| Junior totals | 18 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 20 | |||
| Senior totals | 104 | 32 | 27 | 59 | 118 | |||
| Preceded by Pavel Bure Paul Laus |
Florida Panthers captain 2003–08 |
Succeeded by Bryan McCabe |
| Preceded by Aki Berg |
Los Angeles Kings first round draft pick 1997 |
Succeeded by Matt Zultek |
| Preceded by Jani Hurme |
Winner of the Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy 1996–97 |
Succeeded by Pasi Puistola |
| Preceded by Kimmo Timonen |
Winner of the Matti Keinonen trophy 1997–98 |
Succeeded by Brian Rafalski |
| Preceded by Otakar Janecky |
Winner of the Jari Kurri trophy 1997–98 |
Succeeded by Miikka Kiprusoff |