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Saku Koivu: NHL legend retires after 18 seasons

By Natalie G.

Oct 24, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Saku Koivu (11) acknowledges the crowd after the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Koivu was a former captain of the Montreal Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2013; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Saku Koivu (11) acknowledges the crowd after the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Koivu was a former captain of the Montreal Canadiens. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Center Saku Koivu, who beat cancer and was captain of one of the National Hockey League’s most prestigious franchises, announced his retirement on Wednesday after 18 seasons.

There will be no storybook ending for Koivu in Montreal or a season spent elsewhere as a mentor to a new generation of rookies. There were many who believed that there would be plenty of interest in Koivu after the Anaheim Ducks allowed him to become a free agent this summer, but it appears that the 39-year-old did not find a suitable team that was appealing to him enough to sign another NHL contract. Koivu, played 1,124 games between the Montreal Canadiens and the Anaheim Ducks and played in four Olympic Games for Finland. He leaves the NHL as one of the most accomplished Finns in history with 832 points.

It is in Montreal where Koivu will be remembered fondest after serving 10 years as captain — tying him with Jean Beliveau for the longest stretch in franchise history. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma after getting sick on a flight to Montreal and had to miss most of the 2001-2002 season due to chemotherapy treatment. He surprised the entire NHL by returning with three regular-season games remaining in the 2002 season, to assist Montreal in securing a playoff berth. He then went on to score 10 points in 12 playoff games and scored 21 goals and 50 assists the following season.

Mar 29, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Saku Koivu (11) celebrates a goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack (31) (not pictured) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Anaheim Ducks forward Saku Koivu (11) celebrates a goal against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Eddie Lack (31) (not pictured) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Last October, Koviu and the Ducks played in Montreal, on that night, Montreal fans gave Koivu a standing ovation during the final minute of regulation and their appreciation for Koivu and everything he had done for the Habs franchise reached heightened emotional levels when he was announced as the third star of the game. Even though Koivu did not know he would be released to free agency at the end of the season, it appears that many fans had a feeling that this could be Koviu’s last time in Montreal.

“It was emotional,” said Koivu. “I had the whole building behind me. It was nice. A big thank you for that. I felt great before the game and obviously at the end, that was amazing.”

Part of Koivu’s motivation for signing in Anaheim in 2009 was to seek some shelter from the attention. The move also reunited him with countryman Teemu Selanne and offered a better chance to chase the elusive Stanley Cup. The two Finns are good friends, but they are the opposite in almost every way.

Selanne is the “Finnish Flash,” a big personality that loved to stand out and to score goals, while Koivu was an extremely reliable two-way center who was much more comfortable blending in to the pack and smashing men into the sideboards.

Looking back, those differences were very obvious during their final NHL season together. Selanne spent much of last season on a farewell tour, while Koivu quietly remained in the background. After Anaheim was knocked out of the playoffs by the Los Angeles Kings in a seven-game, second-round series.

The retirement speculation focused on only one of the Finns.

It was a rough hockey season for Koivu.

A concussion eliminated him of the opportunity to compete at the Sochi Olympics for Finland and he only managed just 11 goals and 29 points in 65 NHL games.The Ducks also looked to be legitimate Stanley Cup threats after a 116-point regular season but lost to the rival Kings, the eventual champions. Many believed that Koivu had made peace with the fact that his career would end without a Stanley Cup win on his resume.

The Ducks general manager Bob Murray struggled with the decision not to extend the veteran another contract and hinted that it would likely lead to his retirement. “He had a great career,” Murray said in late June. “We just have younger guys pushing for spots.” Some fans had hoped that Koivu might find a way to end his career in Montreal, but unfortunately that is not how things ended. There was speculation linking him to other teams.

Ultimately, he is choosing to leave the NHL on his terms. Koivu has stated that he will use this season to simply spend more time with family but says coaching pro hockey one day is a possibility.

Koivu might be an easy-going-guy, but he is a huge star and inspiration in his homeland after winning four Olympic medals and an unlikely gold at the 1995 IIHF World Hockey Championship.

He left an impression in North America as well. From the time the Habs made Koivu a first-round draft pick in 1993 until he played his final game for the Ducks in May, Koivu’s illustrious career has been nothing short of spectacular.

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