Former NHLer accepts coaching position in the SHL
Former Finnish hockey player Olli Jokinen is a veteran of 1231 National Hockey League games in which he scored 750 points during his career. After his playing career ended, the 45-year-old transitioned to coaching the North Broward Prep Eagles U16 team during their 2015-16 season.
In 2021-2022, Jokinen coached his first professional hockey league game in his home country with Jukurit (Liiga).
Today Jokinen and Timr� IK of the SHL announced they have come to terms on a two-year contract that allows one of the best that adorned the Finnish flag across his chest to lead them into next season and beyond.
Former players who have gotten into coaching aren't a new concept, and quite frankly, many of them have succeeded after making the jump. Whatever Jokinen's reasoning for taking on a new challenge is, it is likely he took everything into consideration before making the commitment.
Understanding that the European game is quite different from the other side of the pond, at the end of the day, if his success behind the bench in Sweden ends up mirroring his playing career, he may end up in North America behind a National Hockey League bench in no time.
| POLL | ||
Will Jokinen find success coaching professionally in Sweden? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 78.8 % |
| No | 17 | 21.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
