Kyle Okposo officially hangs up the skates after winning the Stanley Cup

Way back in 2006, the New York Islanders drafted Kyle Okposo with the No. 6 overall draft pick, and he would go on to have a fantastic career in the league, playing over 1,000 games. Unfortunately for Okposo, the majority of that would come in New York and Buffalo where he was constantly on bad teams, that was before he was traded to the Florida Panthers this past season.

There, Okposo would cap off a stellar career, capturing the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career in what was one of the most emotional moments in a brilliant season for the Panthers. Now, after a 17-year career, the veteran forward has officially announced his retirement from the NHL.

While Okposo never quite put up the numbers that were expected of him with his high draft status, he was a great leader on and off the ice in New York, Buffalo and eventually Florida, and can now end his career accomplishing the goal that every player sets out to accomplish when they start playing the game at a young age.

In a very emotional statement, Okposo thanked many people and looked back on what was a fantastic career, one that saw him play in 1,051 games, tallying 242 goals and 614 points, where he will retire as an incredibly respected player. Unsurprisingly, it's expected that Okposo will pursue a career in hockey after his retirement, whether that be coaching, scouting or in a front office, as he is incredibly knowledgable, well spoken and respected, so don't think this will be the last we see of him.

Source: House of Hockey
Stanley Cup champion calls it quits on his career by officially retiring