Mikko_Koskinen

Mikko Koskinen

Mikko Koskinen

Finnish ice hockey player (born 1988)

Mikko Koskinen (born 18 July 1988) is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for HC Lugano of the National League (NL).[1] Koskinen was drafted in the second round, 31st overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders. Koskinen is one of the tallest goalies ever to play in the National Hockey League (NHL), standing at 6 feet 7 inches (201cm).

Quick Facts Born, Height ...

Playing career

Koskinen with KalPa in 2011
Koskinen with New York Islanders

Koskinen was drafted 31st overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft after playing for the Espoo Blues in the Finnish SM-liiga. He was the first goalie and first Finnish player selected that year. Prior to the draft, he was the second-ranked European goaltender by NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[2]

On 13 July 2009, Koskinen signed a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. In the 2009–10 season, his first in North America, Koskinen was assigned to the Islanders affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, to start the year. After only two appearances with the Sound Tigers, he suffered a torn labrum in his hip which required surgery and ruled him out for the majority of the season.[3] On 19 March 2010, after four months of rehab, Koskinen was reassigned to the secondary Islanders affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies, for the remainder of the year.[4] Undefeated in six starts, he helped the Grizzlies reach the conference semi-finals before returning to the Sound Tigers' first-round playoff series on 18 April 2010.[5]

Koskinen made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut on 8 February 2011 against the Toronto Maple Leafs as the Islanders lost 5–3.[6] He earned his first career NHL win two days later in a 4–3 shootout victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

On 12 November 2011, Koskinen returned to Finland, signing with KalPa.[7]

In April 2013, Koskinen signed with the Espoo Blues.[8]

In September 2013, Koskinen left Finland to play for Sibir Novosibirsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Part way through the 2014–15 season he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg for fellow goaltender Alexander Salák. Koskinen and his team went on to win the Gagarin Cup, the KHL championship trophy in April 2015 and 2017.

On 1 May 2018, Koskinen agreed to terms on a one year, $2.5 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL.[9][10] On 21 January 2019, the Oilers signed Koskinen to a three-year, $13.5 million extension.[11] The decision to sign Koskinen for three years based on such a short tenure was considered unusual, and many speculated that it was a cause of the dismissal of controversial Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli days later.[12][13][14]

After the end of the 2021–22 NHL season and the end of his contract with the Oilers, Koskinen signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano of the Swiss National League (NL) on 13 June 2022.[15][16]

International play

Quick Facts Medal record, Representing Finland ...

Koskinen has represented Finland in the World Championships in 2014 and 2016. In 2016, he was included in the All-Star Team and was named the best goaltender.[17]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

More information Regular season, Playoffs ...

International

More information Year, Team ...

Awards

International

More information Award, Year(s) awarded ...

KHL

More information Award, Year(s) awarded ...

References

  1. [1]
    "Mikko Koskinen player profile". 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  2. [2]
    "European Goaltender scouting final rankings". National Hockey League. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
  3. [3]
    "Sound Tigers notes". TheHour.com. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  4. [4]
    "Islanders assign 31st overall pick Mikko Koskinen to Utah". oursportscentral.com. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  5. [5]
    "Mikko Koskinen likely to start today for Bridgeport". Islandershockeyblog.com. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  6. [6]
    "Resurgent Leafs top Islanders and surprise starter". The Sports Network. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
  7. [7]
    "Garth Snow: No trades on the horizon". Newsday. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  8. [8]
    "Bluesille uusi ykkösvahti KalPasta - SM-liiga". 10 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013.
  9. [9]
    "RELEASE: Oilers agree to terms with free agent goaltender Mikko Koskinen". NHL.com. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  10. [10]
    "Oilers sign KHL G Koskinen to $2.5M deal". 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  11. [11]
    "Koskinen signs three-year contract with Oilers". NHL.com. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
  12. [12]
    Spector, Mark (22 January 2019). "Trying to make sense of Koskinen's new contract with Oilers". Sportsnet. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  13. [13]
    McCurdy, Bruce (4 June 2019). "Mikko Koskinen's controversial contract extension was a defining moment for himself, Cam Talbot, Peter Chiarelli and, oh yeah, the Edmonton Oilers". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  14. [14]
    Cuthbert, Justin (4 January 2022). "Oilers' issues extend far beyond goaltending". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  15. [15]
    "È Mikko Koskinen il portiere straniero del Lugano". HC Lugano (in Italian). 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  16. [16]
    "Oilers' Koskinen signs two-year contract in Switzerland". Sportsnet. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  17. [17]
    "Media All Stars" (PDF). IIHF. 22 May 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
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