At 31 years of age, Finnish forward Joonas Donskoi elected to retire from professional hockey. He addressed his decision on his personal social media accounts, citing his history with concussions as a major factor. The right winger missed the entire 2022-23 campaign after sustaining his seventh and final concussion during a preseason game.
Joonas Donskoi Retires from Professional Hockey
Prior to retiring, Donskoi collected 80 goals, 128 assists and 208 points over 474 career games. In total, he laced his skates up across seven years of NHL action between the San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, and Seattle Kraken.
The Florida Panthers selected Donskoi with their 99th overall selection in the 2010 entry draft. However, he instead played an additional five seasons with Karpat in the top Swedish professional league. By the time he received his entry level NHL contract, it came from the Sharks rather than Florida.
Immediate success with the Sharks in their bottom six prompted San Jose to extend him an additional two years, too. Over his full career, he averaged 14:32 in ice time per game, with favourable advanced statistics (2.5% relative Corsi-for). Sadly, if not for recurring concussion problems throughout his career, Donskoi’s decision to retire likely would have come much later.
Donskoi’s Accomplishments
Before deciding to retire, Donskoi also played in 69 career postseason games. He posted an additional 15 goals and 17 assists in those contests. Perhaps his biggest NHL moment occurred in game three of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, when he scored in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins. That series took both Donskoi and the Sharks as close to a Stanley Cup championship as they ever came, ultimately losing in six.
After four years with the Sharks, Donskoi signed a four-year deal with the Avs in the summer of 2019. There, he achieved his highest single-season goal total, reaching 17 in 2020-21. He won the President’s Trophy with the club that year as well, with their 39-13-4 record. After that season, the Kraken claimed him in the expansion draft.
Before he retired, Donskoi played one year for Seattle, scoring 22 points in 75 games during their inaugural campaign. Unfortunately, that preseason concussion took him out for all of 2022-23, bringing him to the end of that four-year contract he originally signed in Colorado. Despite missing action on the ice, Donskoi continued showing his support for the Kraken and their fan community across the full season.
What this Means for the Future
Donskoi’s choice to retire did not come suddenly or without anticipation. Ultimately, the husband and father wants to focus on his family and keep himself safe for them. Hockey takes a tremendous toll on those who play it at the highest level. Donskoi joins a long list of athletes who had careers cut short due to injury. Brain injuries, in particular, have long-term consequences clouded in uncertainty. Stepping away from hockey now helps him prevent further damage, and gives him that time back to prioritize his family.
Donskoi will be missed in the NHL, but will be remembered as a strong two-way depth forward with a knack for the net. His goal-scoring ability developed quickly and earned him opportunities on some of the best power play units in recent memory. He potted multiple hat-tricks and some multi-point playoff games, too. As Donskoi retires, the hockey world sends him warm wishes for a full and happy retirement with his family.
Main Photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
