"Timing is right": UFA Kyle Okposo divulges his plans after hockey retirement

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Jul 26, 2024 05:25 GMT

Kyle Okposo, the 36-year-old veteran and Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers, has revealed his retirement plans post-hockey. He is a free agent after his recent Cup victory with the Cats.

Okposo recently sat down with NHL.com to discuss the Fanatics immersion program and more. When asked about the program's timing, Okposo acknowledged the importance of considering his professional future.

Reflecting on his involvement in selecting the NHLPA's executive director two years ago, Kyle Okposo expressed a keen interest in post-career endeavors.

"Yes, I am thinking about that. I've thought a lot about it. So, yeah, the timing is right. I've thought a lot about it since two years ago really when I was on the committee to pick the next executive director of the NHLPA. That's when I first started to really think about post career and started to talk to a lot of people in the business world," Okposo said.

He highlighted engaging with business leaders, learning from their experiences, and admiring their purposeful approach to their work.

"I found that I had an interest in talking to these people and getting to know about their lives, getting to know their stories, and really dissecting what they do and how they did it.

"The people that are leaders in their industries, I have found they are very purposeful in what they do and they have done things over a career that have been proven to be effective. It's been awesome to learn how they implement those skills," he added.

Kyle Okposo's future focus on the business side of sports

Kyle Okposo expressed his keen interest in transitioning into the business world after his hockey career. The 36-year-old veteran finds it intriguing to delve deeper into the business side of sports, recognizing the growing interest in the field.

While his primary focus in his career was on training and game preparation, Okposo is now actively seeking an early education in the business world, acknowledging the vast opportunities and life ahead beyond his hockey career.

"Having been somebody that has been involved in that industry in the past 17 years professionally, it's been fun to learn more about that side of it. I've never really thought about that side of it seriously. You always have something in the back of your mind. You're playing and you're like, I have to do this because I have to train this day, or I have to get ready for a game.

"I'm just trying to get an early education into the other side of the business because I know I hopefully have a lot of life to live," he said.

Kyle Okposo was drafted with the seventh overall pick by the New York Islanders in the 2006 NHL draft. He's been in the league for the past 17 seasons, also playing for the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers in 1,051 career games.