The Panther
Registered User
The existence (heretofore unknown to me) of Finnish forward Kari Makkonen came to my attention tonight for the simple fact that he played 9 games for the Edmonton Oilers in their inaugural season of 1979-80. Anyone remember this guy?
He had been drafted by the NY Islanders in the 12th round in 1975, but I've no idea if he ever tried out at their training camp or whatnot. He eventually signed as a free-agent with Edmonton in the summer of 1979.
Of his grand total of 9 NHL games, 7 were played in December 1979 (he scored all 4 of his career NHL points over a 4-game span). He then didn't play again until March 1st 1980 (his last NHL game), which suggests he either got hurt in December 1979 or Sather healthy-scratched him for a long time. He played 16 games that season with the Houston Apollos of the CHL, so it seems more likely that he was scratched, though maybe he was injured first and then assigned to the minors for a while.
Presumably frustrated or just unhappy with NHL life, he returned to Finland in 1980 and had a long and productive career as a scorer in the 'Finnish Elite-League'. He also played for Finland in the 1981 Canada Cup and appeared at the World Championships numerous times.
Makkonen was also a coach and assistant coach for several years in Finland.
Anyway, just a curiosity in Oilers' history, but I was wondering if anyone knows the story of how the Oilers even signed him (before they had ever played a game in the NHL), and how / why he left the NHL so quickly? Edmonton, as we know, was quite successful with Finnish players in their first few years in the NHL, and coach/GM Glen Sather was keen on European players in general. Makkonen would seem to have been quite a legit, talented forward who could have made a much longer 'go' of an NHL career if so inclined.
He had been drafted by the NY Islanders in the 12th round in 1975, but I've no idea if he ever tried out at their training camp or whatnot. He eventually signed as a free-agent with Edmonton in the summer of 1979.
Of his grand total of 9 NHL games, 7 were played in December 1979 (he scored all 4 of his career NHL points over a 4-game span). He then didn't play again until March 1st 1980 (his last NHL game), which suggests he either got hurt in December 1979 or Sather healthy-scratched him for a long time. He played 16 games that season with the Houston Apollos of the CHL, so it seems more likely that he was scratched, though maybe he was injured first and then assigned to the minors for a while.
Presumably frustrated or just unhappy with NHL life, he returned to Finland in 1980 and had a long and productive career as a scorer in the 'Finnish Elite-League'. He also played for Finland in the 1981 Canada Cup and appeared at the World Championships numerous times.
Makkonen was also a coach and assistant coach for several years in Finland.
Anyway, just a curiosity in Oilers' history, but I was wondering if anyone knows the story of how the Oilers even signed him (before they had ever played a game in the NHL), and how / why he left the NHL so quickly? Edmonton, as we know, was quite successful with Finnish players in their first few years in the NHL, and coach/GM Glen Sather was keen on European players in general. Makkonen would seem to have been quite a legit, talented forward who could have made a much longer 'go' of an NHL career if so inclined.
