Longtime Buffalo Sabres former captain announces retirement [Video]

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday former captain Kyle Okposo has decided to hang up his skates and retire. 

Okposo first got his start in the NHL in 2006 when he was selected by the New York Islanders. He officially signed his contract with them in December of 2007. 

He joined the Buffalo Sabres on a seven-year contract as a free agent in July of 2016. Okposo would go on to be named Sabres team captain in 2022, played his 1000th NHL game in 2023, and was traded to the Florida Panthers in March of 2024. 

In a press release, the Sabres wrote, “His role transformed during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, which saw many longtime Sabres depart in favor of a young crop of players – many of whom comprise the core of the …