Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) – Buffalo Sabres captain Kyle Okposo will play in his 1,000th NHL game on Tuesday night when his team hosts the Boston Bruins.
Okposo has played with only two teams in his NHL career. He started his career with 529 games played with the New York Islanders, and Tuesday will mark his 471st game played with the Sabres.
The captain doesn’t like talking about himself, and says he’s uncomfortable when he’s the center of attention.
"I don’t enjoy it, I truly don’t, but I understand it’s a big thing. It’s OK to get recognized," said Okposo following Monday's practice.
Okposo says he never dwelled on how many games he’s played, but did think about it once while still with the Islanders.
"It’s a nice thing, a special moment," Okposo said. "Honestly, the first time that I really thought about it was when I hit 500 games and I was like, 'Wow, that’s a lot of games, and you’ve got to play 500 more to hit 1,000? I don’t know about that.' It’s something I will look back on very fondly."
Okposo is one of the best leaders the Sabres have ever had, but he doesn’t want to talk about it.
"I don’t do anything for praise or recognition. I just try to do the right thing," he said. "This is a byproduct of that, and it’s a special day for everybody that helped me get to that point."
Okposo will be on the ice on Tuesday with his family, and that makes it all worthwhile for him.
"My kids are excited to go on the ice, so I’ll be looking forward to that. And just sharing the day with them, it’s a big honor and they think so too. That’s a big plus," Okposo said.
Okposo started his professional career in the American Hockey League with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he was fresh out of the University of Minnesota when he remembered getting paid.
"I remember getting my first paycheck and it was $2,500. I thought, 'I am rich, and I’m buying all the boys Quiznos.' That’s what I did."
Both Okposo and Erik Johnson grew up in Minnesota and have known each other for 25 years. Johnson is so glad to be teammates with him in the NHL, and is proud to see one of his best friends reaching 1,000 NHL games.
"It’s cool. It’s not easy to do, and there’s a lot of stuff that goes into it, like to get ready for the game and play 1,000 is a lot," said Johnson following Monday's practice.
"It’s getting your body ready to play, your mind ready to play for that many years. It’s tough. The hockey part is the easy part. There’s a lot of stuff behind the scenes that doesn’t get seen, and to go along with that, you need a strong family. I know he has that support system at home."
Johnson has a lot of fond memories with Okposo that started when they were eight-years-old.
"I think it was 1998, so it’s been a long time. We were roommates in college [at Minnesota]," Johnson recalled. "We have a lot of good memories and road trips as kids with our moms, so we’ve seen a lot."
Sabres head coach Don Granato has seen many players reach 1,000 games.
"To get to 1,000, you know he’s been through a lot," said Granato on Monday. "For me, as my first stint in the NHL as a head coach and having him here for me from Day 1, he was very special to me then, and remains that way to me and our organization."
Alex Tuch missed practice again on Monday and won’t play Tuesday against the Bruins. However, Granato says the next game against the Winnipeg Jets is possible.
"He’s day-to-day. The issue he’s dealing with could’ve resolved in 48 hours, but it hasn’t resolved yet," he said. "There’s been lots of progress and I would say Friday’s a very good target for him."
Peyton Krebs missed Saturday’s game due to a family matter.
Meanwhile, Brandon Biro and Zach Benson were both at practice on Monday, but won’t play on Tuesday.
Rookie goalie Devon Levi had the net by himself on Monday, which usually means he’ll start the next game.
MONDAY’S LINES:
Forwards:
Skinner – Thompson – Cozens
Girgensons – Jost – Okposo (Biro)
Greenway – Mittelstadt – Peterka
Rousek – Krebs – Olofsson
Benson
Defense:
Dahlin – Samuelsson
Power – Jokiharju
Clifton – E. Johnson
R. Johnson - Bryson
