Playing career

During his freshman season at University of Minnesota, Okposo was placed at the center position, even though he is a natural winger. Throughout most of the season this became his most common position due to the abundance of wingers on the team.

In January 2007, he played for the U.S. National Junior Team in the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. On June 7, 2007, Okposo announced he would be returning to the University of Minnesota for the 2007-08 season. Okposo played the 2007-08 season for the University of Minnesota ice hockey team until December 19, 2007. On that morning Okposo notified his teammates at the university of his decision to leave the team. Soon after, both the Gophers and the New York Islanders announced officially that Okposo decided to leave college after the completion of his current semester and would then begin his professional hockey career.

Okposo's decision to leave school was considered controversial by some. As a response to questioning, Islanders general manager Garth Snow told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "Quite frankly, we weren't happy with the program. They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that."

Coach Don Lucia then claimed that the Islanders put him "in a very difficult position." In his response to Snow's comments, Lucia emphasized the importance of obtaining a degree, "We have had numerous players sign and play in the NHL, but just as important many more move on to have successful careers after graduating from the University of Minnesota. We have always and will continue to work to ensure our players reach their potential on the ice and in the classroom."

Okposo signed an entry-level contract with the Islanders and was assigned to their top minor league affiliate, the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers. He made his NHL debut on March 18, 2008, against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and netted his first career NHL goal on March 21, 2008, against the New Jersey Devils, a game winner scored on the powerplay against Martin Brodeur. He also scored in his final game of the season in a game against the New York Rangers.

On September 17, 2009, Okposo suffered a mild concussion after a check to the head by Dion Phaneuf. He returned to the Islanders' lineup for their opening game on October 3, 2009. On May 25, 2011, he signed a five-year, $14 million contract with the New York Islanders.

He scored his 100th career goal on October 14, 2014 against the New York Rangers.

Personal life

Okposo was born to a Nigerian father and an American mother. His father immigrated to the United States as a teenager, and eventually earned a Ph.D. His older sister, Kendra, is an attorney. Okposo married his wife, Danielle, on July 28, 2012. The couple's first child was born on January 6, 2014, and their second born in April 2016.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005-06	Des Moines Buccaneers	USHL		50	27	31	58	56		11	5	11	16	8
2006-07	University of Minnesota	WCHA		33	17	20	37	30		7	2	1	3	4
2007-08	University of Minnesota	WCHA		18	7	4	11	6		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		35	9	19	28	12		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	New York Islanders	NHL		9	2	3	5	2		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	New York Islanders	NHL		65	18	21	39	36		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Bridgeport Sound Tigers	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		2	1	0	1	2
2009-10	New York Islanders	NHL		80	19	33	52	34		—	—	—	—	—
2010-11	New York Islanders	NHL		38	5	15	20	40		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	New York Islanders	NHL		79	24	21	45	46		—	—	—	—	—
2012-13	New York Islanders	NHL		48	4	20	24	38		6	3	1	4	5
2013-14	New York Islanders	NHL		71	27	42	69	51		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	New York Islanders	NHL		60	18	33	51	12		7	2	1	3	2
2015-16	New York Islanders	NHL		79	22	42	64	51		8	1	6	7	4
NHL totals				529	139	230	369	310		21	6	8	14	11

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005	United States	WHC17	5th		5	2	2	4	2
2007	United States	WJC	03 !		7	0	1	1	2
2008	United States	WJC	4th		6	1	5	6	2
2009	United States	WC	4th		9	2	3	5	10
2010	United States	WC	13th		6	1	2	3	0
2012	United States	WC	7th		8	2	1	3	0
Junior totals					18	3	8	11	6
Senior totals					23	5	6	11	10

Awards and honors

Medal record
Representing United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2007 Mora

Award	Year
USHL
Rookie of the Year	2006
Clark Cup playoffs MVP	2006
First All-Star Team	2006
All-Rookie Team	2006
College
All-WCHA Rookie Team	2007
All-WCHA Second Team	2007

[ Source: Wikipedia ]