Nikke Kokko
Finnish goaltender drafted by Seattle Kraken in 2022.
Last updated
Nikke Kokko is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender under contract to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL) and assigned to the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted by the Kraken in the second round, 58th overall, of the 2022 NHL entry draft. Kokko is notable for leading the Lahti Pelicans to the Liiga finals in 2024 and for being named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team in his first North American season.
Lore & Background
Kokko began playing hockey at age four with the youth teams of Oulun Kärpät in his native Oulu. He progressed through Kärpät's junior system, winning the U16 championship in 2019 and earning the Jarmo Myllys Award as the best goaltender in the U18 SM-sarja after the 2019–20 season. He made his Liiga debut with Kärpät in November 2021 and was named to the U20 SM-sarja Second All-Star Team that season. After being drafted by the Kraken, Kokko spent the 2022–23 season on loans to Kokkolan Hermes of Mestis and SaiPa of Liiga.
In 2023–24, he began with Kärpät but was loaned to the Lahti Pelicans in January 2024, leading them to the Liiga finals where they lost to Tappara. Kokko's first North American season was 2024–25, during which he recorded 20 wins with the Firebirds and was named to the AHL's All-Rookie Team. He made his NHL debut on 25 February 2025, replacing Joey Daccord against the St. Louis Blues. In the 2025–26 season, after 19 wins with the Firebirds, Kokko made his first NHL start, attempting a 'goalie goal' in that game, and played two additional NHL games.
Reader's Guide
Kokko's significance lies in his rapid ascent through Finnish junior and professional leagues before transitioning to North America. His 2023–24 season with the Lahti Pelicans was particularly notable: after joining the team on loan in January, he posted a 1.49 goals against average and four shutouts in 13 regular-season games, then led the Pelicans to the Liiga finals with a 1.81 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 17 playoff games. He was a finalist for the Urpo Ylönen Award as Liiga's best goaltender, finishing second in voting. In his first AHL season, Kokko recorded 20 wins and earned a spot on the AHL's All-Rookie Team.
His NHL debut came in relief of Joey Daccord, and he later made his first NHL start, attempting a goalie goal. Internationally, Kokko represented Finland at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships (winning bronze) and the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. His development path—from Kärpät's youth system through multiple Liiga loans to AHL success—illustrates the Kraken's investment in goaltending depth.
Career statistics and honours
Medals
- Bronze 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | W | L | OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Finland | U18 | Bronze | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 | .895 |
| 2024 | Finland | WJC | 4th | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 296 | 19 | 0 | 3.86 | .870 |
| Junior totals | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 356 | 21 | 0 | 2.93 | .883 | |||
Tables copied from the source article, totals included as the source gives them: Wikipedia: Nikke Kokko (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wide tables scroll sideways.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Nikke Kokko (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Statistics, medals and awards: the tables of the source article.
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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