• Kyle Okposo, recently retired NHL player, joins the NHLPA as a business development and player engagement adviser.
• Okposo's role will involve leveraging his relationships with current players and his experience to enhance player engagement within the union.
• The NHLPA also appointed Steve Scebelo as chief commercial officer and Stephanie Maniago as communications and media relations manager.

Kyle Okposo, following his retirement from a 17-year NHL career that culminated in a Stanley Cup victory with the Florida Panthers, has transitioned into a new role with the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA). He will serve as a business development and player engagement adviser, contributing to the union's efforts to connect with and support its members. The NHLPA also announced the hiring of Steve Scebelo and Stephanie Maniago to further strengthen its operations.

• What: Kyle Okposo joins the NHLPA as business development and player engagement adviser, along with other key appointments.
• Who: Kyle Okposo, Marty Walsh, Ron Hainsey, Steve Scebelo, Stephanie Maniago, NHLPA, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres.
• When: Announcement on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Okposo retired in September after playing from 2008 to 2024.
• Where: NHL Players' Association, North America.

Kyle Okposo's transition to the NHLPA is significant because it brings a recently retired player's perspective to the union's operations. His experience as a player and executive board member provides him with credibility and understanding of the players' needs. The hiring of Steve Scebelo and Stephanie Maniago further strengthens the NHLPA's business and communication strategies. Okposo's existing relationships with players are expected to be a major asset in enhancing player engagement.

I knew that I wanted to stay in the game. I love it. It's given me everything that I've had in my adult life, and I wanted to continue to stay in it and I think that this is the best route for me to go right now.

Being freshly retired, I have relationships with a lot of different players and have some different ideas on how we can create excitement and engagement with the current members of the union. For me, just having the relationships with those guys and being able to talk to them like we're in a locker room is going to be, I think, an asset to the PA.

Some things that we were able to do at the NFLPA do lend themselves to this. There could potentially be opportunities for the NHLPA to work with emerging companies -- small or early-stage companies who may have some endemic ties to hockey as a sport that there could be investment opportunities that allow a players' association to grow with that company as they grow.

Kyle Okposo's move to the NHLPA marks a new chapter for both him and the organization. His experience and player relationships are expected to be valuable assets in enhancing player engagement and business development. With the addition of Steve Scebelo and Stephanie Maniago, the NHLPA is positioning itself for continued growth and success under the leadership of Marty Walsh.