Olli Jokinen signing honorary contract to retire with Panthers

Olli Jokinen will exit the sport with the club he captained for four seasons.

The Florida Panthers announced they will sign their all-time points leader to an honorary contract, and will honor him during the second period Tuesday versus the New York Rangers.

Jokinen thanked the organization for extending its gratitude via the Panthers official website.

"My heart has always been with the Panthers organization and now I feel like my career has come full circle," he said. "I am extremely grateful that I had the chance to play hockey in South Florida and help the sport grow.

"I want to thank my family - my wife Katerina and my daughters Alexandra, Emma, and Keira - and all of the fans, teammates, coaches, and staff who have supported me throughout my career."

Jokinen spent seven seasons with Florida, and captained the team from 2003-2008. He scored a franchise-best 188 goals and 419 points in 567 games, and 750 points in 1,231 games with 10 franchises in his 17-season NHL career.

He also leads the Panthers in game-winning goals, overtime goals, and power-play points.

Jokinen was acquired in 2000 in a trade with the New York Islanders in a package that included goaltender Roberto Luongo.