© Fanatics

In NHL.com’s Q&A feature called “Sitting Down with …” we talk to key figures in the game, gaining insight into their lives on and off the ice. Today, we feature unrestricted free agent forward Kyle Okposo, who won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season.

Shortly after rejoicing in his victory with the Stanley Cup, Kyle Okposo found himself immersed in a new learning experience that shed light on another aspect of the sports industry.

Okposo, who won the Cup with the Florida Panthers last season, was one of five NHL players, along with Panthers teammate A.J. Greer, Jacob Trouba and Will Cuylle of the New York Rangers and Vinni Lettieri of the Boston Bruins, who participated in the latest immersion program developed and run by Fanatics, the global sports business and the official outfitter of the NHL’s uniforms.

The program offers athletes a practical learning opportunity to explore potential off-field and post-career prospects.

The setting was in New York, and it included a visit to Mitchell & Ness headquarters in Philadelphia on Thursday. Okposo had the opportunity to collaborate with a designer, gaining insights into their creative process and creating his own unique merchandise.

Both current and retired athletes from the NFL and NBA were also present at the event.

© Fanatics

At 36 years old with 1,051 NHL games under his belt, Okposo is currently an unrestricted free agent. Despite being a seasoned player, he recently achieved the prestigious title of a Stanley Cup champion. While Okposo acknowledges thoughts about life beyond hockey, he’s not fully prepared for that chapter to commence just yet.

On Thursday, Okposo engaged in a conversation with NHL.com, shedding light on his involvement in the Fanatics immersion program, his motivations for participating, his aspirations for personal growth, and his ultimate desire to win the Stanley Cup.

This week you were involved with the Fanatics immersion program. Why were you involved and what do you want to get out of it? Is it post-career thoughts for you at this point?

I desired to be a part of this program solely for the chance to learn from accomplished individuals in different fields. As a hockey player, it’s easy to become pigeonholed as just that, but I am more than just a player. My name is Kyle Okposo, and I am also an individual with diverse interests and passions. I find great pleasure in exploring various aspects of life. That’s why I was eager to listen to the stories of other successful people and gain insights and advice from them. I genuinely value their perspectives and take their input seriously. Being able to connect with other athletes from different sports has been an absolute joy. It’s always thrilling to engage with them, pick their brains, and forge new connections. This program has been truly exceptional, providing me with an invaluable crash course in the business world.

Is the timing for this program right for you as well? I’m not saying you’re done as a player, but you have to be thinking about what’s coming next in your life professionally.

Yeah, I’ve given it a lot of thought. The idea has been on my mind for a while now, ever since my involvement in selecting the NHLPA’s next executive director two years ago. That’s when I first started considering my post-career options and began networking with professionals in the business world. I discovered a genuine interest in engaging with these individuals, learning about their experiences, and analyzing their strategies and accomplishments. I’ve noticed that successful industry leaders approach their work with purpose and have a track record of effective decision-making throughout their careers. It’s been an incredible experience to acquire and apply these valuable skills.

Is the business world, whether it’s the business of sports or other ventures, where you want to be whenever Kyle Okposo the hockey player is no more?

Definitely. Every morning, I make it a point to tune in to Front Office Sports and read the Sports Business Journal. Staying informed about the world of sports is important to me. It’s fascinating to see the immense interest and investment in this industry. With 17 years of professional experience in sports, I’ve found it enjoyable to explore the business aspect, which I never really considered before. As an athlete, there’s always something on your mind, like training or preparing for a game. But now, I’m aiming to gain an early understanding of the other side of the business because I have a lot of life ahead of me.

So you were at Mitchell & Ness in Philadelphia. You learned about the brand and you worked with designers to create your own product with your own brand. What did you design?

I created a personalized hoodie that held great significance to me. The collaboration with the designer was extraordinary. Her computer skills were so advanced that it would take me an immeasurable amount of time to achieve a similar level of expertise. The hoodie itself served as a representation of both my life and career. On one side, I featured five teams that I admired immensely during my childhood. On the opposite side, I showcased five teams that had a profound impact on my life or that I had the opportunity to play for as an adult. The front of the hoodie displayed my signatures, each with a different number: 9, 21, and 8. Lastly, the pinnacle of the design was a prominent silver element on the back.

That big silver thing of course is the Stanley Cup. You are a Stanley Cup champion. Has it changed you as a person? Has it changed your life?

As a person, has it transformed me? No, I believe I have a solid sense of self. However, it has undeniably altered my life to some extent. I discussed this during the playoffs. In the game, people are often judged based on their achievements, and if you are perceived as someone who cannot win or lacks the ability to be victorious, you acquire a specific label. For a long time, I wasn’t part of the playoffs, but suddenly, winning bestowed upon me a new title and people began treating me differently. They became more interested in me, my thought process, and my approach. Nonetheless, my core self has not changed because of my victory. I have grown and become more composed emotionally, but winning has not altered my fundamental being. It’s just that now, people are paying a bit more attention to my actions and words. This journey has been incredible, and I am relishing every moment. Over the past month, I have also cherished the time I’ve been able to spend with my family.

Isn’t this interview that we’re doing right now an example of that? We’re talking about the business of the game, your future, but honestly I don’t know that we’d be doing it today if you didn’t win the Stanley Cup. Maybe in a few years, but not today.

Absolutely. It serves as a prime example of how it has transformed my life. It holds immense significance. Earlier today, I had a conversation with Todd Gurley, a former NFL running back, while we were seated outdoors. He inquired about my emotions upon winning that prestigious trophy. I simply conveyed to him that for the past three decades, I have witnessed the lifting of that trophy every single year. Each time, it evoked tingling sensations within me and fueled my determination. It is something I have relentlessly pursued for the majority of my existence. Finally attaining it after such a prolonged period is indescribable.

The bad news, of course, is that your day with the Stanley Cup in Minnesota was impacted by the international IT outage. You had to cancel an event you were going to do. Describe that whole experience and what you ended up doing on your day with the Cup.

It was quite heart-wrenching to wake up and discover a major IT outage. To make matters worse, the Cup was stuck in St. Louis. However, I stayed in touch with the two individuals responsible for the Cup and they kept me updated throughout the situation. Wanting to inform those who were commuting and had a long drive ahead, I reached out to Mike Russo, a writer for The Athletic based in Minnesota, and shared the details with him. It was devastating that I couldn’t share this information with the public in Minnesota. Fortunately, the Cup finally arrived just after 11 a.m. and made its way to our location by 11:45. We had planned an event for friends and family from 12 to 3. I brought the Cup to Cottagewood, the area where I currently reside in Minnesota, and it was a joy to witness the excitement of the numerous children running around. The highlight was capturing a picture in front of the historic Cottagewood General Store, which has been around since 1895. It was truly a remarkable experience.

Special Day for Kyle Okposo and his family. The @FlaPanthers #stanleycup champion brings the trophy home. @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/5LmFEzyK5y

— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) July 20, 2024

Then we spent a few hours with my immediate family, my wife and kids, and the Moulsons, Matt Moulson and his wife, Alicia, and Jonathan Quick as well, who were over. It was just nice to sit down and reflect on the journey that I’ve been on for the last 30 years and take the time to soak in how much that trophy means to me. I was with both my sons in the bathroom and we were drinking apple juice out of it, which was a ton of fun. That was a pretty cool moment for me. Then at night we had a shindig for really close friends and family, and we had an absolute blast. It was a great time.”