Jokinen Won’t Represent Finland in the Olympics

Olli Jokinen, the Kings’ top pick in last year’s draft, was not selected to play for Finland in next month’s Olympics but is having a stellar season for IFK Helsinki of the Finnish Elite League.

Jokinen, who began the season with the Kings before being assigned to play in his native country Nov. 6, was chosen the Finnish leagues’ player of the month after registering 18 assists and 25 points in 17 games.

After leading Finland to the gold medal and being named first-team center at the World Junior Hockey tournament last month, Jokinen was considered a lock to fill one of the final roster spots for the Olympic team.

“[I was surprised] especially after the tournament that he had at the World Juniors,” King Coach Larry Robinson said. “I thought that there was a pretty good chance for him because they had four or five openings. There’s politics with everything.”

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Assistant Jay Leach will coach from the stands for the third game in a row and not from behind the King bench where he has spent most of the season. Robinson said that’s because fellow assistant Don Edwards, who regularly communicates with the team bench, is scheduled for an East Coast trip later this month to scout potential goaltender draft choices.

TONIGHT vs. Florida

* 7:30

Site--Great Western Forum.

Radio--XTRA 690 (AM).

Records--Kings 20-19-8, Panthers 15-24-10

Record vs. Panthers--0-0-1.

Update--The Kings, 5-3-2 in their last 10 games, will be trying to win a season-high fourth in a row. Vladimir Tsyplakov has scored 10 of his 13 goals at the Forum. Jozef Stumpel (47 points) ranks among the league leaders in assists with 34. Goaltender Stephane Fiset is 4-1-1 in his last six home starts. The Kings rallied for two goals in the final nine minutes to tie the Panthers in Miami in October. Florida will be without Rob Niedermayer because of a knee injury, but will have Dino Ciccarelli, acquired in a trade from Tampa Bay last week.