Former NY Islanders forward Kyle Okposo goes out on top after winning Stanley Cup

There are times when sports news can make you feel old. News that Kyle Okposo is retiring did that for a generation of New York Islanders fans. The 2006 1st round pick (7th overall) made it official on Thursday, hanging up his skates after going out on top, winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers this past June after their Game 7 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

The Minnesota native debuted during the 2007-08 season as a 19-year-old, scoring his first professional goal against Martin Brodeur in memorable fashion, without his helmet and on the power-play to break a 1-1 tie late in the third period. He scored 18 and 19 goals in his first two full professional seasons before taking a step back with only five goals in 38 games in 2010-11. He rebounded with 24 goals the following year, only to regress and score just four in 48 games in 2013.

However, Okposo experienced a resurgence during the 2013-14 season, netting 27 goals and a career-best 69 points in 71 games, establishing himself as a top-line forward, playing alongside captain John Tavares. He scored 22 goals in 79 during his final season on Long Island (Brooklyn) and was part of the team that advanced in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 1993.

That summer, unable to strike a deal with GM Garth Snow, Okposo signed a seven-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Overall, in 529 career games with the Islanders, he finished with 139 goals and 230 assists. He was an All-Star with the Sabres in his first season and went on to become their captain and skate in his 1,000th career NHL game during the 2023-24 season.

Having signed a one-year contract in the off-season, he was on an expiring deal and was traded to Florida at the deadline as Paul Maurice's roster was shaping up for a deep post-season run after finishing as Stanley Cup runner-ups the season prior. Okposo's character and leadership was on display throughout the post-season and he was recognized by his teammates for it as one of the first players to hoist the Stanley Cup and skate it around the rink in Sunrise, FL.

The 36-year-old finished his career playing in 1,051 career games with 242 goals and 372 assists for 614 total points.