Mikko Koivu finds a new home

After spending 15 seasons with the Minnesota Wild, including 11 of them as captain, Mikko Koivu has found a new home. The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced they've signed Koivu to a one-year contract, worth $1.5 million.

👋 Welcome to CBus, Mikko!

Per Jarmo, the #CBJ have signed veteran C Mikko Koivu to a one-year contract. Details below ⤵️https://t.co/ApWJi48N1H— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) October 10, 2020

"Mikko Koivu has been a very consistent, productive two-way player in the National Hockey League for many years,". "He is a great leader, has impeccable character and will be a valuable addition to our young team. We are very excited that he has chosen to continue his career as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets", general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said.

Koivu, 37, was drafted in the first round, 6th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2001 NHL entry draft. In 1,028 games, he's put up 709 points (205 G, 504 A), 592 penalty minutes, and is a +70. In 59 career playoff games, Koivu has 28 points (11 G, 17 A), 38 penalty minutes, and is a -18. He is the Minnesota Wild franchise leader in games played, assists, points, plus/minus, and shots.

Internationally, Koivu has represented Finland on numerous occasions. In 56 IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship games, he has 46 points (17 G, 29 A), 60 penalty minutes, and is a +17. He's won 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze medals at the World Championships.

He's also played for Finland at the 2004 and 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In 7 World Cup games, Koivu has 1 point (1 A), 2 penalty minutes and is a -3. Finland placed second at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, losing to Canada in a best of 3 final.

Koivu's also had Olympic success too, winning the silver medal at the 2006 Olympics, and the bronze medal in 2010. In 14 games at the Olympics, he's put up 4 points (4 A), 8 penalty minutes, and is a -1.

There's no doubt once his career is over he'll be inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame, as was his brother, Saku, in 2017.

Columbus seems like a perfect fit for Koivu. He'll probably be their third line center, and will bring plenty of experience, and leadership to a relatively young Blue Jackets team.

Source: Columbus Blue Jackets

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