Former Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen officially retires

PUBLICATION

Finnegan Frost
September 2, 2024 (11:30)

SHARE THIS STORY

Breaking news out of Edmonton as former Oilers goaltender Mikko Koskinen has officially retired from pro hockey.

Many Oilers enthusiasts have a soft spot for Mikko Koskinen who signed with the club in May of 2018. Although Mikko Koskinen showed flashes of brilliance at times, he was known to be one of the more inconsistent goalies in the league. He was also known to have one of the weaker gloves in the NHL, often being beat by players on the glove hand side on a regular basis.

He was okay in his first full NHL season, dressing in 55 games and posting a 25-21-6 record with a .906 save percentage. This prompted then Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli to sign the Finnish netminder to a three-year $13.5MM contract extension.

The first year of the deal went well for both sides as Koskinen posted a .917 save percentage in 38 games and looked like a legitimate NHL netminder. However, after the success of the 2019-20 season, the wheels came off of Koskinen's game and he became a lightning rod for criticism over the following two seasons.

Towards the end of his tenure with the Edmonton Oilers, he unfortunately didn't get much ice time as former teammate Mike Smith became the Ace goaltender with his stellar puck playing abilities and decisive goaltending performances heading into the post-season.

In June 2022, Koskinen signed in Switzerland with HC Lugano where he would finish out the final two years of his professional playing career before deciding to begin a new career as a player agent. He officially registered as a player agent in Finland in July and will be reportedly based in Helsinki.

Koskinen has officially hung up his skates for the last time and has his eyes set on enjoying a well earned retirement. Oilers Insider wishes Koskinen all the best in his future endeavours.

source: Pro Hockey Rumors
Former Oilers Goaltender Mikko Koskinen Officially Retires