Veteran winger Kyle Okposo, who played for the New York Islanders and Buffalo Sabres, has officially announced his retirement from the NHL in an open letter shared by his agency, CAA Hockey. In the letter, Okposo reflected on his childhood dream of making it to the NHL and the strong relationships he built throughout his career. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable 17-season career, during which he played 1,051 games and, earlier this year, earned his first Stanley Cup.
Okposo was selected seventh overall by the Islanders in the 2006 NHL Draft after leading the Des Moines Buccaneers to the USHL Clark Cup Championship that same year. He spent two productive seasons at the University of Minnesota, where he tallied 51 points in 58 games, before turning pro midway through the 2007-08 season. His scoring touch quickly transitioned to the AHL, leading to his NHL debut after just 35 games and 28 points in Bridgeport.
Once called up, Okposo wasted no time establishing himself, registering five points in his first nine NHL games. He followed that with 18 goals and 39 points in his rookie season. Okposo quickly cemented his spot on New York’s second line, regularly pushing for 20 goals and 50 points. His best season came in 2013-14, when he posted a career-high 27 goals and 69 points. In 2016, Okposo signed a seven-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, his first time entering free agency.
Okposo joined the Sabres at a difficult time, as the team was in the midst of a lengthy playoff drought. Despite their struggles, Okposo remained a reliable presence on the ice, consistently aiming for 45 points whenever healthy. His perseverance through multiple concussions was recognized when he was named Sabres captain in 2022, succeeding Jack Eichel. Okposo held that leadership role for two seasons, though as his career neared its end, Buffalo traded him at the 2024 Trade Deadline.
In the trade, Okposo joined the Florida Panthers, along with a fifth-round pick, while Buffalo received the rights to defenseman Calle Sjalin. Though he only played six regular-season games and didn’t record a point, his energy was pivotal during the playoffs. Okposo contributed in 17 postseason games, notching two assists and playing a key role in Florida’s Stanley Cup run — his first playoff appearance since 2016.
Okposo leaves the game on a high note but hinted he may not be stepping away from hockey entirely, saying, “Thirty years of playing hockey was incredible… I believe the game is in a great place right now, but the possibilities are vast. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute as the game reaches new heights.”
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