Kyle Okposo played his last game of the season for the Buffalo Sabres on March 27th, ending up hospitalized in a neurological intensive care center before the conclusion of the season. Though Okposo would be discharged a few days later, many fans worried about his future not only with the team but in hockey at all. Since then there have been several reports of his progress, and an expectation that he will be ready for the start of the season. That idea was furthered today when Da Beauty League, a Minnesota-based amateur summer league for current and former NHL players, announced that Okposo will make his debut tonight.
The league has an incredible group of players this season, led by Minnesota-born stars like Ryan McDonagh, Dustin Byfuglien, Alex Goligoski and Paul Martin. Even top draft pick Casey Mittelstadt is there this season, playing on Martin’s team. For fans in the area, it offers a extremely inexpensive way to see some of the league’s best players up close in an unfamiliar setting. For Okposo, it will just be nice to see him back on the ice.
He’ll be expected to be a big part of the Sabres turnaround after they signed him to a seven-year, $42MM contract last summer. The deal looked pretty good in it’s first season, as Okposo put up 45 points in 68 games and was the Sabres’ All-Star participant. With more health, including from Okposo, the Sabres should be much improved. Whether they can force their way into the playoffs is still yet to be seen.
I never heard of this league, but I really like the idea.
Neither have I but it sounds like great fun for players and fans alike