Former Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen has officially retired from the NHL to begin a new career as a Finnish player agent.
Koskinen was once seen as a potential star goaltender in the NHL, having been drafted 31st overall by the New York Islanders in 2009. However, his time with the Islanders was brief, as he played just four games during the 2010-11 season, spending most of his contract with their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Despite limited NHL action, Koskinen still earned praise for his performances as the Islanders’ top goaltender during that period.
Seeking to further develop his goaltending skills, Koskinen spent several years in the KHL, playing two seasons with Novosibirsk Sibir and four with St. Petersburg SKA. In 2018, at the age of 30, he returned to the NHL, signing with the Edmonton Oilers, where he played for four seasons. During his time with the Oilers, Koskinen posted a decent .903 save percentage and a 2.98 goals-against average, but he often faced criticism from both fans and head coach Dave Tippett. After his NHL stint, he moved on to play in Switzerland.
Mikko Koskinen
Now 36, Koskinen has officially retired from professional hockey and is transitioning to a career in player agency in his native Finland. According to Ilta Sanomat, he has already divested his shares in Kiekko-Espoo, a team in the Finnish SM-liiga, and has been approved by the players’ association to begin his new role. Although many hockey players would love to stay on the ice forever, Koskinen recognized that his time in the crease had come to an end. Fortunately, he is well-positioned for his next chapter, and there’s hope that his new career will be as fulfilling as his time on the ice.
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