Truth & Rumors > NHL

Jokinen wants incident behind him

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As Olli Jokinen gets ready for a fresh start with the Coyotes, he could be given slack were he to dwell on a horrendous on-ice incident late last season involving a teammate. But the high-scoring center vows to look ahead as he tries to make a playoff appearance for the first time in his 10th full season. Toward the end of last season with the Florida Panthers, Jokinen's skate inadvertently slashed the throat of teammate Richard Zednik, and Zednik lost a significant amount of blood. He is making a full recovery, and he's expected to be in training camp. "It was really a bad situation," said Jokinen, obtained in an off-season trade for defensemen Keith Ballard and Nick Boynton. "To be honest, the last 20 games of the season, there were a lot of other things on my mind."It's a bad accident, and you almost lose your teammate, and especially when you're involved, even though it was an accident, it takes a lot out of you, and to be honest there were a lot bigger things than hockey in that process." Jokinen said he was looking forward to playing against his former teammate, but it's time to push ahead. "But whatever's been happening in the past, for me there is no reason to look back," he said. "You're as good as your last game, and that wasn't very good, so I definitely want to look forward and put everything behind. "I told everyone I have no regrets or anything bad to say about Florida. I think today we can close those books and keep moving forward."

Arizona Republic

Olli Jokinen, Mark Buckner/Getty Images Olli Jokinen, Mark Buckner/Getty Images
August 8, 2008  09:09 AM ET

He is talking like he took his skate off and stabbed Zednik Happy Gilmore style. It was an accident, no one is blaming him.

August 8, 2008  09:27 AM ET

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Its not that any1 is blaming him, he's blaming himself, even if it was accidental .. Put yourself in his shoes, could you imagine cutting your friend's throat & watching him bleed? That'll take an emotional toll on a person ...

August 8, 2008  09:52 AM ET

He made us lose , He played awsome then cause of that we didnt get that last playoff spot when we were in it he was awful last 22 months of season

August 8, 2008  10:11 AM ET

But the high-scoring center vows to look ahead as he tries to make a playoff appearance for the first time in his 10th full season.

In Phoenix?? Seriously?? Playoffs?? BZZZZZZTTTTT!! Wrong answer!

He made us lose , He played awsome then cause of that we didnt get that last playoff spot when we were in it he was awful last 22 months of season
Legacyy84

Y'all finished 9 points out of a playoff spot. Without Jokinen it would have been at least 19. I'd like to see how well you do your job after you accidentially almost kill your friend.

August 8, 2008  10:17 AM ET

It was bad enough seeing that incident on TV; what it must have been like for the poeple on the ice God only knows. An accident, pure and simple, but the stress to Jokinen must have been immense. How he managed to finish that game is beyond me.

Anyway, good luck to him.

August 8, 2008  10:26 AM ET

He made us lose , He played awsome then cause of that we didnt get that last playoff spot when we were in it he was awful last 22 months of season...

Legacyy84 | 08/08/08, 09:52 AM

You mean your an actual Florida Panthers fan?? Wow, forget endangered - thought you guys were nearly extinct.

August 8, 2008  10:36 AM ET

He made us lose , He played awsome then cause of that we didnt get that last playoff spot when we were in it he was awful last 22 months of season
Legacyy84

Last 22 months of the season? What are we talking, football?


BETTMAN S***S

August 8, 2008  10:55 AM ET

2 months moron

August 8, 2008  10:56 AM ET

The Coyotes are much improved this year. They have some very good young players and added some decent vets like Olli Jokinen. They'll make more than a few teams in the WC howl!

August 8, 2008  11:03 AM ET

The Coyotes MIGHT make the playoffs this year... they have some great young forwards and Jokinen will only improve their goal scoring. But, the Defense is still suspect and they're not strong in the goaltending dept. Maybe if Gretzky can turn into the NHL's Bobby Knight behind the bench they have a good chance...

August 8, 2008  11:12 AM ET

2 months moron

Legacyy84

That was necessary. I was joking, no need to get your knickers in a not

August 8, 2008  11:15 AM ET

The Blackhawks and Blue jackets have also improved...I just do see Phoenix making this year. Of Course, I could be wrong.

August 8, 2008  11:16 AM ET

or even in a knot

August 8, 2008  11:18 AM ET

Maybe if Gretzky can turn into the NHL's Bobby Knight behind the bench they have a good chance...

rhmf93

Maybe if Gretaky suits up...

BETTMAN S***S

August 8, 2008  11:54 AM ET

Don't see them making it that is

August 8, 2008  12:59 PM ET

We're talking Phoenix here.

Doomed to oblivion.

Gretzky is no genius. Yes, I still don't like him.

August 8, 2008  02:07 PM ET

Playoffs?? Phoenix?? ummmmmmmm NO

August 8, 2008  02:44 PM ET

They do finally have their goalie that they've been seeking though in Bryzgalov. The dude can play.

bostongm

And best of all, his name would be worth like a billion points in SCRABBLE

BETTMAN S***S

August 8, 2008  03:16 PM ET

Hhahahahhahah. Thats pretty good there Spiny One.

bostongm


I think that between him and Gretzky, you really couldn't lose. Too bad for Wayne that hockey isn't SCRABBLE

 
August 8, 2008  04:11 PM ET

I think that between him and Gretzky, you really couldn't lose. Too bad for Wayne that hockey isn't SCRABBLE

Spiny Norman |

Have to agree, it's NOT scrabble and they won't make the playoffs. That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it. A better question might be who they'll trade at the deadline to get good enough to make the playoffs.

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