Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers X
Ex-Oiler announces retirement after 600 NHL games and overseas career
Late last night, news broke that former NHL veteran Lauri Korpikoski has announced his retirement after this past season with TPS Turku in Sweden's Liiga.
Former NHLer Lauri Korpikoski has retired from professional hockey at the age of 37.
The 37 year old Finnish forward was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2004 draft. Korpikoski went on to play for 5 different teams in 11 seasons, mostly spending his time with the Phoenix Coyotes. In the 2015-16 rebuilding season for the Edmonton Oilers, Korpikoski suited up for 71 games, scoring 10 goals and 22 points after being acquired in a trade for Centreman Boyd Gordon. At the end of one season, the Oilers bought out Korpikoski for two seasons at $1M per year.
After playing six seasons in overseas professional leagues, mostly with TPS Turku in Liiga, Korpikoski is still retiring earlier than he'd like to. He was signed to TPS Turku with high expectations, but suffered a series of injuries and illnesses that really restricted his ability to play and be effective. In 43 games this season, Korpikoski only scored 11 goals and 24 points, but some fans still came to his defence. A translated assessment of Korpisalo from a Liiga fan is shown below.
Case Lauri Korpikoski is all sad. First in with the highest expectations and 6 years. during this period he received some unreasonable criticism and bad treatment from the club. The fact is, however, that during this time, to a large extent, he suffered from such injuries and illnesses that the man himself could not do anything about. And it's also a fact that the man played tepsi growing up and had a great career including e.g. 600 NHL games. Not many are up to it.
Like many other players, it seems like Korpikoski held on to his dream of playing pro hockey until it just wasn't possible anymore. Still, he should be commended for his great NHL career and the continuation overseas. All Oilers fans and many NHL fans will be wishing Korpikoski the best in his retirement!
| POLL | ||
April 17 | 269 answers Ex-Oiler announces retirement after 600 NHL games and overseas career Were you a fan of Korpikoski on the Oilers? | ||
| Yeah, I liked him | 78 | 29 % |
| Not a fan | 164 | 61 % |
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