Wild will not re-sign longtime captain Mikko Koivu
FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Wild center Mikko Koivu questions a call with a referee in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, in Denver. Wild captain Koivu says he is not concerned that his season-ending knee injury will prevent him from resuming his career at age 36 next season. [(AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)]
After 15 seasons with the Minnesota Wild, longtime captain Mikko Koivu will not return for the 2020-21 season. The team announced it will not re-sign Koivu in an announcement released Friday morning.
The Wild drafted Koivu with the 6th overall pick in the 2001 draft. He has been the team captain since 2009, when he was named the team’s first-ever full-time captain.
In his 15 seasons Koivu played 1,028 games, scoring 205 goals and 504 assists for 709 points.
Koivu is the franchise leader in games played, assists and points. He trails only Marian Gaborik (219) on the Wild’s all-time goal-scoring list.
In the pandemic-disrupted 2019-20 season, Koivu scored 4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points in 55 games.
Among active players, only Boston’s Zdeno Chara, Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Chicago’s Jonathan Toews have served as captain longer than Koivu.
The statement from team general manager Bill Guerin reads:
"Mikko Koivu was a true leader both on and off the ice during his 15-year career with the Wild. From being drafted sixth overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, making his NHL debut on Nov. 11, 2005, being named the team’s first full-time captain on Oct. 20, 2009 and wearing the ‘C’ for the last 11 seasons to becoming the first player to play all 1,000 NHL games with Minnesota on Dec. 1, 2019, Mikko’s legacy will live on forever in our organization.
His hard work, dedication and team-first mentality will be extremely difficult to replace in our lineup. Off the ice, Mikko’s impact in the State of Hockey was immeasurable as he went out of his way to make a positive impact on so many people in our community, including his charitable contributions to Children’s Minnesota.
We thank Mikko for everything he has done for our organization and wish him and his family the best in the future."