Winnipeg Jets’ Forward Olli Jokinen Wins Silver At The World Championships

Mar 27, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets center

(12) controls the puck against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Winnipeg Jets’ forward Olli Jokinen’s Team Finland had a decent end to their season getting the silver medal at the World Hockey Championships in Belarus.  Finland lost 5-2 to Russia in the final.

Jokinen finished the tournament with 2 goals and 5 assists in 10 games.  Finland knocked off the Canadians in the quarter final and blanked the Czechs in the semi final to play the Russians in the final.

Finland had a 2-1 lead in the second period when Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin scored 8 minutes apart to take a 3-2 lead into the third period.

Jokinen’s time in Winnipeg is up in the air at the moment, but there has been talk that he wants to return.  His contract is up and Kevin Cheveldayoff hasn’t said what he plans to do.  He could trade him and get a draft pick for him or he could let him go to free agency July 1^st.  Who knows what might happen come draft time.

Jokinen had a pretty good year for someone on the last leg of his hockey career.  He is in top physical condition and can help many teams lacking at center.

The Jets might want to bring up a rookie like Eric O’Dell full time or possibly Adam Lowry.  Only time will tell, but this tournament in Europe is huge for European hockey and a silver medal for Finland is a pretty big deal and it’s another piece of hardware for Jokinen’s mantle.