![olli jokinen olli jokinen](https://i.cbc.ca/1.2115349.1382075522!/httpImage/image.jpg)
Returning to North America, Olli began the 1998–99 season with the Kings' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. Olli won the Matti Keinonen and Jari Kurri trophies in 1998 as the most effective player of the regular season and most valuable player of the playoffs, respectively. He added another nine points in nine playoff games as the team won the SM-liiga championship. He played 30 games with HIFK, scoring 39 points. He was held pointless in eight games, however, and the Kings chose to return him to HIFK to complete the season. Olli began the 1997–98 season with the Kings, making his NHL debut on October 1, 1997, against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was selected by the Los Angeles Kings with the third overall selection, after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The NHL's Central Scouting Bureau rated Olli as the top European prospect for the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He was recognized as the SM-liiga's rookie of the year, and was presented with the Jarmo Wasama memorial trophy. Olli was the youngest player on the team, and in 50 games, scored 14 goals and 41 points.
![olli jokinen olli jokinen](https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/headshots/current/168x168/8466140@2x.jpg)
He moved onto HIFK in 1996–97, where he played full-time with the senior squad.
![olli jokinen olli jokinen](https://img.ilcdn.fi/YO6lF9j76S3Jc9liRmJrCwx6QJw=/full-fit-in/510x0/img-s3.ilcdn.fi/f0884b1d301cea728aa12a6fbb81704e666d43e6c7265a7245dbf1b1616e871e.jpg)
He made his debut with the senior team in the SM-liiga in 1995–96, appearing in 15 games, scoring one goal and one assist. Olli began with his hometown team, KalPa, playing for the squad's under-18 and junior teams between 19. Playing Career Playing Career in Finland