Kyle Okposo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kyle Okposo |
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Okposo with the New York Islanders in January 2015
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| Born | April 18, 1988 Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 216 lb (98 kg; 15 st 6 lb) | ||
| Position | Right wing | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | New York Islanders Buffalo Sabres Florida Panthers |
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| National team |  United States |
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| NHL Draft | 7th overall, 2006 New York Islanders |
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| Playing career | 2007–2024 | ||
Kyle Henry Erovre Okposo (born April 16, 1988) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Kyle played for the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and Florida Panthers. The Islanders picked him seventh overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Okposo achieved a big dream by winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024.
Contents
Playing Career
Early Hockey Days
Kyle Okposo played one season in the United States Hockey League (USHL). This league helps young players get ready for college or professional hockey. He was named the best player in the USHL playoffs and the league's top rookie. He also helped his team, the Des Moines Buccaneers, win the Clark Cup.
Kyle then went to the University of Minnesota to play college hockey. Even though he usually played on the wing, he often played as a center because his team had many wingers.
In December 2007, Kyle decided to leave college early. He signed a three-year contract with the Islanders. This was a big step towards his professional career. Some people had different opinions about his decision to leave school. His team, the Islanders, felt it was the right move for his development. His college coach, however, stressed the importance of getting a degree.
Time with the New York Islanders
After signing with the Islanders, Kyle first played for their minor league team, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He made his first NHL appearance on March 18, 2008. Soon after, on March 21, 2008, he scored his first NHL goal. It was a game-winning goal against famous goalie Martin Brodeur.
In September 2009, Kyle had a mild concussion. But he quickly returned to play for the Islanders. In May 2011, he signed a new five-year contract with the team.
The 2013–14 season was a great one for Kyle. He played alongside star players like John Tavares. Kyle scored 69 points in 71 games, leading the Islanders in points that season. On October 14, 2014, he scored his 100th career goal. On January 16, 2015, Kyle scored four goals in one game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. This was his first NHL hat trick, which means scoring three or more goals in a single game.
Playing for the Buffalo Sabres
On July 1, 2016, Kyle signed a seven-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
In his first season with the Sabres, he scored 45 points. He was also chosen to play in the 2017 National Hockey League All-Star Game. This game features the best players from around the league.
Over the next few seasons, Kyle's scoring numbers changed. But he had a strong comeback in the 2021–22 season. He scored 21 goals and 24 assists, reaching 45 points again. This was his highest total since joining the Sabres.
Before the 2022–23 season, Kyle was named the 20th captain in Sabres history. This is a big honor, showing he was a leader on the team.
After his seven-year contract, Kyle signed a one-year extension with Buffalo. On November 14, 2023, he played his 1,000th NHL game. This is a huge milestone for any hockey player.
Winning the Stanley Cup with Florida
On March 8, 2024, Kyle was traded to the Florida Panthers. He joined them as they were heading towards the playoffs. Kyle helped his new team reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row. They won Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers, and Kyle secured his first Stanley Cup Championship after 17 years in the NHL. He was one of the first players to lift the Cup, a tradition for the winning team.
After winning the championship, Kyle Okposo announced his retirement from hockey on September 19, 2024.
Personal Life
Kyle's parents, Kome and Michelle Okposo, are both pharmacists. His father is Nigerian and his mother is American.
Kyle and his wife have four children.
Kyle has shared that he experienced mental health challenges during his hockey career. In 2017, he needed to take time off to focus on his health and well-being. He later returned to playing hockey.
International Play
Kyle Okposo also played for the United States national junior team. In January 2007, he played in the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He helped the team win a bronze medal in that tournament. He also represented the U.S. in other international competitions.
Career Statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2003–04 | Shattuck–Saint Mary's | HSMN | 71 | 46 | 53 | 99 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Shattuck–Saint Mary's | HSMN | 65 | 47 | 45 | 92 | 72 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Des Moines Buccaneers | USHL | 50 | 27 | 31 | 58 | 56 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 8 | ||
| 2006–07 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 33 | 17 | 20 | 37 | 30 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2007–08 | University of Minnesota | WCHA | 18 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 35 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | New York Islanders | NHL | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | New York Islanders | NHL | 65 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | New York Islanders | NHL | 80 | 19 | 33 | 52 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | New York Islanders | NHL | 38 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2011–12 | New York Islanders | NHL | 79 | 24 | 21 | 45 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | New York Islanders | NHL | 48 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 38 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 2013–14 | New York Islanders | NHL | 71 | 27 | 42 | 69 | 51 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | New York Islanders | NHL | 60 | 18 | 33 | 51 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2015–16 | New York Islanders | NHL | 79 | 22 | 42 | 64 | 51 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | ||
| 2016–17 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 65 | 19 | 26 | 45 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2017–18 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 76 | 15 | 29 | 44 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018–19 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 78 | 14 | 15 | 29 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 52 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 35 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 74 | 21 | 24 | 45 | 43 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2022–23 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 75 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 61 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 10 | ||
| NHL totals | 1,051 | 242 | 372 | 614 | 554 | 41 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 21 | ||||
International
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing United States |
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| Ice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Bronze | 2007 Mora | |
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | United States | U17 | 5th | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2005 | United States | U18 | 5th | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 10 | |
| 2007 | United States | WJC |  |
7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2008 | United States | WJC | 4th | 6 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | |
| 2009 | United States | WC | 4th | 9 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 10 | |
| 2010 | United States | WC | 13th | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2012 | United States | WC | 7th | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Junior totals | 23 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 16 | ||||
| Senior totals | 23 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 10 | ||||
Awards and Honors
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| USHL | ||
| Rookie of the Year | 2006 | |
| Clark Cup playoffs MVP | 2006 | |
| First All-Star Team | 2006 | |
| All-Rookie Team | 2006 | |
| College | ||
| All-WCHA Rookie Team | 2007 | |
| All-WCHA Second Team | 2007 | |
| NHL | ||
| NHL All-Star Game | 2017 | |
| Stanley Cup champion | 2024 | |
| Bob Nystrom Award | 2010 | |
