On Friday night, the Florida Panthers unveiled their Quarter-Century First and Second All-Star Teams, as voted by media, retired players, and executives. There were no true surprises, though sharp Nashville Predators fans may recognize one familiar face on the second team.
Former Predators forward Olli Jokinen made the cut for the second group as the center. Jokinen, 46, spent part of one forgettable season with the Predators, scoring three goals, three assists, and six points in 48 games in 2014-15.
On Feb. 15, 2015, the 1997 No. 3 overall pick was traded by the Predators, alongside Brendan Leipsic and a 2015 first-round pick, for defenseman Cody Franson and forward Mike Santorelli.
After posting one assist in six games, Jokinen was traded again, this time to the St. Louis Blues in return for forward Joakim Lindstrom and a 2016 sixth-round pick.
Jokinen would later suffer a season-ending injury, concluding his NHL career with a four-goal, 10-point season.
Ironically, Jokinen also played his 1,000th NHL game against the Predators, losing 5-3 to Nashville on Jan. 1, 2012, during his time with the Calgary Flames.
The Finn is, of course, best known for his days with the Panthers. That’s why he made their Quarter-Century squad, after all!
Struggling to make an impact early in his NHL career, Jokinen broke out with the Panthers, scoring 38 goals, 51 assists, and 89 points in 82 games in a career-best 2005-06 season.
The 6-foot-3 center reached his career zenith a year later, potting 39 goals, 52 assists, and 91 points in 2006-7. Jokinen would tail off a bit in 2007-08, reaching 30 goals for the third straight year but dropping down to 34 goals, 37 assists, and 71 points in 82 games.
As a Panther, Jokinen recorded 188 goals, 231 assists, and 419 points in 567 regular season games. The one-time Predators forward wrapped up his NHL career with 321 goals, 429 assists, and 750 points in 1,231 regular season games.
Related: Former Predators Defenseman Finds New NHL Home with Maple Leafs
Jokinen was joined by forwards Pavel Bure and Sam Reinhart, defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Robert Svehla, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on the Panthers’ second Quarter-Century team.
Florida’s first Quarter-Century team is comprised of forwards Sasha Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Matthew Tkachuk, defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling, and Hall of Fame goalie Roberto Luongo.
As soon as every franchise’s teams are announced, a league-wide fan vote will determine the NHL Quarter-Century Team. Voting will take place on NHL.com and X from Feb. 12 to Feb. 26, with the final result announced soon after.
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