One of the top players from the country of Finland has announced that he will not be returning to play another season of professional Hockey. Saku Koivu has called at a career at the age of 39 and having played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League.
Like most Finnish born Hockey players, Koivu began playing professionally in the Finnish SM-Liga, and would rapidly become the star player for TPS. In the 1994/95 season, Koivu would win the League’s scoring title and the Lasse Oksanen Trophy as the Finnish Leagues Most Valuable Player. More importantly he would also take TPS to win the Kanada-Malja Trophy; the Stanley Cup of Finland, and winning the Jari Kurri Trophy as the Playoff MVP.
Like all great young Scandanavian players, the National Hockey League came beckoning, and Koivu, who was drafted 21st overall by the Montreal Canadians in 1993 was ready to ply his trade in North America.
Koivu proved to be more than ready for the NHL, but his body was not always willing. He would play all 82 games in his rookie season, but in the four years after he would never make 70. Still, he would accumulate 270 Points in 344 Games, which was a more than respectable Points per Game average. Koivu also became a team leader and in 1999, he would become the first European born player to captain the storied Montreal Canadians.
As rough as his multiple leg injuries would be, Koivu was about to face a much bigger foe, Cancer.
Specifically, he was diagnosed on September 6, 2001 with Burkitt’s Lymphoma and was expected to sit out the entire 2001/02 season while he battle the disease. That was what was expected.
Koivu returned to the ice that season on April 9, 2002, the 80th game of the Habs’ season. It was a special moment in Montreal Hockey history as Koivu was showered with an eight minute standing ovation by the devoted fans of the Montreal Canadians. This was not just a comeback for the sake of a comeback. Koivu would be a big part of that season’s playoff push scoring 10 Points in 12 Games and proving that he was not only back, but better than ever. Justly, Koivu won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy awarded annually to the player who exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to Hockey.
The Montreal Captain would go on to have his most productive offensive output the following season and would continue to develop as a very good two way Hockey Player. Koivu would win his second individual award, this time in 2009 as the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which is given to the player who shows the most leadership and humanitarian efforts.
He would play the last five seasons of his career wit the Anaheim Ducks and in total, Saku Koivu would tally 832 Points with .74 Points per Game Average and is a one time All Star Game participant.
Koivu would also have a great career with his native Finland in International play, the bulk of which saw him as the team’s captain. Koivu’s trophy case contains an Olympic Silver medal, and three Olympic Bronze Medals (winning a medal in all four Olympics he competed in), a Silver Medal in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and a Gold, two Silvers and a Bronze in the World Championships.
As for post career accolades, as much as we respect Koivu’s NHL accomplishments, and his character, he probably will fall short for what the Hockey Hall of Fame is looking for and may fall in the 25 to 35 range once eligible for our list. Despite also tying Jen Beliveau for the longest tenure as a Montreal Canadians Captain, the organization has only retired numbers to date of those in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Still, we can see a spot for Koivu in the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame based on his accomplishments with the Finnish National Team, a spot he should probably get.
We would like to thank Saku Koivu for the memories on the ice and wish him the best in the next phase of his life.
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