In April, Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at a Buffalo area hospital with an illness. Okposo underwent extensive testing to determine the exact nature of his illness.
Okposo had fallen ill on March 28. The veteran forward was forced to miss the final slate of games in April.
His health was far more important than meaningless hockey games in April.
Okposo was knocked out of the lineup a few hours before Buffalo's game at the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 28. Okposo had just returned to the Buffalo lineup and played two games after missing 10 because of a rib injury.
The exact nature of his injury had never been revealed. His timetable for return has never been publicly stated. Sabres GM Jason Botterill said in May that he has spoken with Okposo and was confident that his burly winger would be ready to resume his summer training and would be at training camp in September.
Last month, Okposo surprised his teammates and training staff when he made an impromptu visit to the Sabres' training facility.
Okposo just finished the first year of a seven year, $42 million contract.
Okposo represented the Sabres at the 2017 NHL All Star Game.
In 10 NHL seasons, Okposo has played in 594 regular season games and has scored 158 goals and 256 for 414 points.
Okposo finished his first season with the Sabres with 19 goals and 26 assists.
Great news! Okposo, a Minnesota native, is healthy and strong enough to participate in summer shinny with some of the best NHL and NCAA players.
Check out the NHL beauties who are playing in the Minnesota-based Da Beauty League:
Zach Parise Hudson Fasching Casey Nelson Dustin Byfuglien James Van Riemsdyk Trevor Van Riemsdyk Chris Stewart Brock Boeser Keaton Thompson Drew Stafford Chris Butler Nick Leddy Jake Gardiner Brock Nelson Jake Guentzel Alex Goligoski Erik Haula Nick Bjudstad Ryan McDonagh Brady Skej Anders Lee Jake Oettinger Paul Martin Nate Schmidt Matt Read Alex Stalock
Okposo will play for Team Lawton/Malone alongside Zach Parise and other notables.
As you can see, Okposo will be surrounded by former Islanders and present Sabres teammates.
I'm so happy for Okposo, who has had to endure a slow process to his recovery from his ailment.
Da Beauty League was formed in 2015. It was created for the elite players who live and play in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul to hone their skills prior to their regular NHL seasons.
Da Beauty League has now set its schedule for the 2017 season! Da Beauty League action will now take place every Wednesday in July and then every Monday and Wednesday in August. The season kicked off last week and will run through 8/16.
Games are played on Wednesday night at 5:10 pm, 6:35 pm, and 8 pm.
Playoffs will begin with the semi finals on Monday 8/21 and be played at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The championship game will take place on Wednesday 8/23 at 7 p.m.
In hockey terms a "Beauty" is the best title you can give a teammate.
A "Beauty" is a guy who plays for the love of the game, who is also talented and loved by the rest of the team.