Former hockey player Kyle Okposo affiliates with the NHL Players' Association shortly following his Stanley Cup victory and retirement.
Title: NHL Veteran Kyle Okposo Joins NHL Players' Association as Business Development Advisor
In an exciting new chapter, Kyle Okposo, former NHL champ, is jumping ship to join the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) as a business development and player engagement adviser. This switcheroo is officially happening, as the NHLPA announced their fresh hires – Kyle, Steve Scebelo, and Stephanie Maniago – on May 1, 2025[1][2].
This 37-year-old powerhouse played over 1,000 regular-season and playoff games with the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and Florida Panthers from 2008-24 before calling it quits last September[2]. But his passion for the NHL scene burned strong, leading him to join the union he loved so much.
Kyle first started thinking about working for the union during the executive director search in 2022, where he was a prominent member of the search committee. After spending time with U.S. Secretary of Labor and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, who landed the exec director job in February 2023, Okposo knew he had found his people[2].
"I knew I wanted to stay in the game, man. It's given me everything I've had in my adult life. I love it, and I wanted to continue being a part of it," Kyle told The Associated Press[2]. "This is the best route for me right now."
As for his new role, Kyle wants to focus on strengthening relationships between players and the union while driving strategic business initiatives[1]. He'll be working under Walsh and assistant Ron Hainsey, and his connections as a player will prove invaluable[2].
"Being freshly retired, I have relationships with a lot of players, and I think that's going to be an asset to the PA," Kyle said[2]. "I want to keep this thing moving forward, and I think Marty's the right guy to lead it."
As for Steve Scebelo, he's coming off a decade with the NFLPA, most recently serving as president of the union's licensing program, NFL Players Inc[2]. Expect him to focus on forging partnerships and expanding revenue streams that benefit union members, using his experience from the NFL scene to help grow the NHLPA[2][4].
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
[1] "NHL Players' Association hires Okposo, Scebelo, Maniago." AP News. May 1, 2025. https://apnews.com/article/sports-hockey-business-technology-olympics-49cb9a1118cef45c9a81d3cb3d296e36
[2] "Levack: Kyle Okposo finding his post-NHL passion with NHLPA." USA TODAY. May 3, 2025. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2025/05/03/kyle-okposo-nhl-players-association-wants-stay-game/44117146/
[3] "Dan Steven Scebelo." LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscebelo/
[4] "The NFLPA's Secret Ingredient? Foot Locker." Forbes. August 30, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonlopatkin/2023/08/30/the-nflpas-secret-ingredient-foot-locker/?sh=7fa6bba16281
- Kyle Okposo, a former NHL player from Toronto, has ended his professional hockey career and joined the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) as a business development and player engagement advisor.
- After playing over 1,000 games in the NHL for the New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, and Florida Panthers, Okposo's passion for the sport led him to join the union he admired.
- In his new role, Okposo aims to strengthen relationships between players and the union while driving strategic business initiatives, working under NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh and assistant Ron Hainsey.
- Okposo's connections as a player will be a valuable asset, enabling him to forge relationships and expand revenue streams that benefit union members.
- Steve Scebelo, another new hire at the NHLPA, comes with a decade of experience working with the NFLPA, most recently serving as president of the union's licensing program, NFL Players Inc.
- Scebelo's expertise in forging partnerships and generating revenues will help grow the NHLPA, leveraging his experience from the NFL scene.
