Former NHL goaltender Mikko Koskinen reportedly set to retire
After a lengthy professional hockey career that began in Finland during the 2007-08 season, former NHL goaltender Mikko Koskinen will reportedly be hanging up the skates.
According to Finnish media outlet, Iltalehti, they've learned that the 35-year-old goaltender has decided to retire from professional hockey after parts of 17 seasons in Europe and North America.
Iltalehti are also reporting that Koskinen was supposed to return to Finland for the 2024-25 season and play for Kiekko-Espoo, however, that won't happen now.
Note: the quotes in this story are translated from Finnish
"Koski was rumored to be a league newcomer to Kiekko-Espoo's goal for next season. However, according to current information, this will not happen."
The Vantaa, Finland native was originally drafted by the New York Islanders 31st overall in 2009, appearing in four games for them during the 2010-11 season. After parts of three seasons with the Islanders' organization, Koskinen would return to Europe where his career took off in a big way while playing in the KHL.
Following five seasons in the KHL with a goals against average of 1.99 and a save percentage of .926, Koskinen was drawing interest from multiple NHL teams, but ultimately he decided on joining the Edmonton Oilers. Koskinen would spend four seasons with the Oilers, before heading back to Europe and signing a two-year contract with HC Lugano in Switzerland.
Source - Iltalehti: Career ends! A surprise decision from the top Finnish goalkeeper
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers should have pursued a different goaltender in 2018 rather than Mikko Koskinen? | ||
| Yes | 123 | 69.1 % |
| No | 55 | 30.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
