📰 BREAKING NEWS: Florida Panthers’ Legend Olli Jokinen Returns as Chief Operating Officer (COO)
In a monumental announcement that has sent shockwaves through the NHL community, Florida Panthers’ owner Vincent “Vinnie” Viola and his family have officially named Olli Jokinen, the franchise’s all-time great and former captain, as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Florida Panthers.The move signals a bold new chapter for the Panthers, bringing back one of the most beloved figures in team history to the front office.
“Olli Jokinen embodies everything the Panthers stand for — passion, loyalty, resilience, and leadership,” said Vinnie Viola in a statement released Thursday morning. “His dedication to this franchise is unmatched, and we believe his vision will elevate this organization to even greater heights, both on and off the ice.”
Jokinen, who played 567 games with the Panthers from 2000 to 2008 and remains the franchise leader in goals (188) and points (419), expressed deep emotion and excitement during the introductory press conference.
“This is home,” Jokinen said, standing alongside General Manager Bill Zito and Head Coach Paul Maurice. “I poured my heart into this organization as a player, and I’m honored to return in this new role to help guide it into a championship era.”
🏒 A New Era of Leadership
Jokinen’s role as COO will involve overseeing day-to-day business operations, player development strategy, community engagement, and hockey operations alignment. Sources inside the organization suggest that his influence will extend from the executive offices all the way down to youth hockey initiatives throughout South Florida.
The 46-year-old Finn has remained closely tied to the game since retiring in 2015, most notably founding and operating the South Florida Hockey Academy, which has helped develop dozens of top-level prospects and increased the sport’s footprint across the region.
“Olli’s fingerprints are already all over the next generation of Florida hockey,” said Panthers President Matt Caldwell. “Now, with him at the executive level, we’re uniting our vision from grassroots to the NHL.”
🔥 The Panther Way
This announcement comes on the heels of the Panthers’ historic 2024 Stanley Cup victory and their continued emergence as a powerhouse franchise in the NHL. With strong leadership at all levels and an energized fan base, Jokinen’s return is seen as both symbolic and strategic.
Jokinen becomes the highest-ranking former Panthers player in franchise history to join the executive leadership team — a move that fans have long dreamed of and one that signals a shift toward legacy-building and cultural continuity.
“I want to build something lasting,” Jokinen said. “The kind of culture where every player, every employee, every fan feels like they’re part of something bigger than just the game. That’s what being a Panther is about.”
As the 2025-26 season approaches, expectations in Sunrise have never been higher — and with Olli Jokinen back in the fold, the future looks brighter than ever.
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