Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of Mikko Koivu
AGE |
29
HEIGHT
6’ 2”
WEIGHT
200 lbs.
POSITION
Center
DRAFTED
6th Overall in 2001
Mikko Koivu is a skilled Finnish player who plays for the Minnesota Wild. He has led his country’s team to a gold-medal. He is a center who has a great shot. He currently has 361 points in 488 NHL games. He is not the only Koivu in this league. His older brother Saku was once the captain of the Montreal Canadiens, but now plays for the Ducks in Anaheim, California. Their father, Jukka, was the coach for the team TPS (in the SM-Liiga), where the two boys had currently played. This is Beyond the ‘C’: The Story of Mikko Koivu.
Mikko Koivu was drafted 6th in the 2001 NHL Draft. Even though he had no goals and 1 assist his first year at TPS (playing in 21 games), he bettered himself by racking a total of 151 games, 17 goals, 41 assists, and 58 points in his TPS career, which was over four years. When drafted, he played for the Minnesota AHL affiliates Houston Aeros, since there was no season for the NHL. His rookie season he showed the Minnesota Wild the reason they drafted him. He scored 6 goals and 15 assists in 64 games. The next season, 20 goals and 34 assists in all 82 NHL games. So far in the NHL, he has 108 goals and 253 assists.
Before his 4th NHL season, he was named a permanent alternate captain for the entire season along with Andrew Brunette. They partook in a rotating captaincy. Koivu started the season with being captain in October and November. There were “Wild” rumors that former Wild coach Jacques Lemaire was almost ready to name Koivu the permanent captain. But he replaced Koivu with Kim Johnsson in December. Koivu became captain again in January. In 2009, he was honored the cover of Finland’s version of EASports NHL 10, and was voted best Finn by NHL.com. Koivu was named the first permanent captain of the Minnesota Wild on October 20th, 2009. He signed a record 7 year/$47 million contract extension, which took effect during the 2011-2012 season.
Editor’s Corner:
James Beck is the head master for Gone Puck Wild. Here is his statement.
“If you’re asking my opinion Mikko is a solid two way player who gives everything he has out on the ice. He’s just way to injury prone so I don’t know much longer that C will be on his chest, especially with Parise just brought into town. Over paid and from Minnesota it will be put on his chest if Koivu goes down again.”
Closing Argument:
I like how well Mikko Koivu can play. Do I think he is best fit? No. I think it’s only a matter of time before Zach Parise wears the ‘C’, just like James said. Maybe the Wild will go back to the rotating captains again. Who knows?
Follow me on Twitter, @NardoneDylan, and tell me what you think. I could use a good hockey discussion/debate. Chirp at me!