ASTHMA DOES NOT K.O. KYLE OKPOSO
“I’m not missing a shift,” says the Islanders forward
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Like a defenseman trying to hold up Kyle Okposo at the blue line, asthma has been unable to slow down the Islanders’ talented young forward.
Nine percent of American children and seven percent of adults live with the disease, which causes bouts of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness. Among the afflicted is 21-year old Kyle Okposo of St. Paul, Minnesota.
“I’ve had it practically my entire life,” Okposo told Point Blank. “It’s just something you deal with and learn how to control. I can tell you that asthma has never had a negative impact on my hockey career. I would never use it as a crutch anyway, but the fact is that it doesn’t slow me down.”
Of course, Okposo takes precautions. At practice at Iceworks and during games at the Coliseum, an inhaler is never far away. While the right wing says he has never had an asthma attack during a pro or college game, Islanders head athletic trainer Garrett Timms is prepared. As recommended by doctors, Okposo recieves an annual flu vaccination. He also uses a new brand of mouthpiece designed by Under Armour to help hockey players with asthma. “It aligns the jaw better to help with breathing,” he said.
Okposo said he suffered asthma attacks on the bench during games in his youth hockey days, but has not had one yet as a pro. “I’m more prepared for it now,” he said. If he senses the signs of his illness kicking in, Timms and Okposo quietly remedy it. “I’m not missing a shift,” said Okposo. “I just take care of it.”
His recent bout with the H1N1 flu was “not fun” because of the added impact on his asthma, he said, but he has not felt any after-effects since his quick recovery.
The disease has been a part of his life for so long, Okposo never gave much thought to how he could be a role model for youngsters who fear it could stop them from their dream of playing in the major leagues.
“As long as you know when the symptoms are there and learn how to take precautions,” said Okposo, “there’s no reason for asthma to prevent you from being an athlete.”
Okposo is living, breathing proof.
Olympic Test: Okposo declined to confirm a source detailing his whereabouts yesterday before coming to Iceworks for a workout. Okposo was taking a test mandated of all candidates for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
This does not mean Okposo is any closer to being chosen by GM Brian Burke and his Olympic committee. All players who participated in the team’s evaluation camp in August were required to take the test.
Okposo returned to practice today, in his usual spot to the right of Matt Moulson and John Tavares. Rob Schremp remained in the center spot usually vacated by the injured Frans Nielsen, who did not practice. Schremp is not guaranteed a lineup spot because Scott Gordon could play Richard Park at center and Blake Comeau at wing.
Nielsen is doubtful for Thursday’s game in Atlanta, but could play during the road trip.
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31 Responses to “ASTHMA DOES NOT K.O. KYLE OKPOSO
“I’m not missing a shift,” says the Islanders forward”
Please Wait
Beast
Okposo in some languages is spelt BEAST. KO is phenominal h1n1 and asthma can’t stop him than who can
His asthma had to team up with H1N1 just to break K.O.’s stride.
seriously, total non-issue. i wonder what his H1N1 recovery time would have been if didnt have asthma. 15mins?
This Kid is a Beast.
Ah, Olympic test-taking…
Jim Craig: “What are you still upset at me that I didn’t take your stupid test?”
HB: “No, I want to see the guy who WOULDN’T take the test”
I am glad to see Okposo is controlling it well. I am also glad to see these stories on PB just like when the website first began. Thank CB
Akeem - GREAT quote from that movie! One of the best parts of the story…Gotta love it!
Ya want me to take ya test?! I’ll take ya test!
LET’S GO ISLANDERS!!!!!
did not know about KO’s asthma. i know from family experiences how debilitating it can be, but i’m not surprised by how this kid deals with it as a hurdle to be overcome and not to be overcome by. in his concise and forthright way he tells others who live with it that even a great athlete need not be restricted in their daily work and/or play. he’s a great example, and good work by you too CB.
Let Schremp play the next 2 games
I’ve looked all over the net for questions from Herb’s test that was mentioned in the movie. Anyone ever seen any of them?
Let Schremp sit the next 2 seasons. I dont feel like getting dizzy watching him skate around in circles when he gets the puck.
The only thing that can slow Okposo . . . kryptonite
He cannot be stopped…..you can only hope to contain him !
I love Kyle, but to be honest, I thought he would be ringing the bell a little more often by now!!Our “beast” and “superman” has been just OK this year! How much money could I have made if I bet you that Josh Bailey and jeff Tambellini would have more goals than KO 27 games into the season? And at -5, KO is among the worst plus minus forwards on the team! Listen I am a KO fan and root for him big time, but he needs to do more to win that Olympic spot!!
A lot of players are able to conquer asthma but still returning so quick after swine flu is something special
Kyle Okposo is not a candidate for the US Olympic hockey team…….the US Olympic team is a candidate for KYLE OKPOSO!
In the seventh paragraph the word “stop” appears. How can such a word exist in an article about Kyle Okposo? It’s impossible and I refuse to believe the universe would allow such a thing to be.
Can we all relax on the he cant be stopped talk? I love KO as much as the next guy - i have a KO jersey and think he will be a very good player. But “Beast, Cant be stopped” the guy has just 5 goals and 14 points and 25 career goals. Lets not jump the gun here
Another great story CB. I think I remember reading somewhere that Kyle had asthma, but I had forgotten all about that.
I never knew that about Kyle but I don’t think there is anything that can stop the beast anyway! Kyle, Dipietro, Tavares are my fav Isles right now. Fantastic players and solid citizens. I could easily see Kyle being Captain one day.
…..Pat Lafontaine was an asthmatic if I remember correctly. But still KO is a beast.
Whats a little lack of oxygen during a hockey game???KO can handle it, he’s not human, hes a “The Beast”…
I feel like this guy is destined for stardom. Only 2 points in his last 8 games yet every shift it seems he leaves it all on the ice. All it takes is for KO to really hit his stride and the isles may hit a streak themselves.
When I was younger I played hockey with a few guys with Asthma. While none of them ever had any problems during games, they would usually use an inhaler either before or after the game (or both, I’m not 100% sure). And the trainer usually kept it in his pocket during the game just in case. Obviously as a pro, Okposo has much bigger challenges/ harder workout than my teammates ever did though.
Hey Chris, if ya don’t mind, next time you speak to the “Beast”…Let him know, “Isles fans appreciate his nonstop, hard efforts on the ice and are rooting for him…He’s the best player on the team…Hope he begins potting some goals, it a matter of time, and he’s on his way
KO…”beast”…can’t be stopped…must be stopped…can’t be stopped… oy vey.
I heard Chuck Norris wears Kyle Okposo pajamas!
K.O. is awesome. He can control the puck and the game anytime he wants. He expends so much energy I’m surprised he doesn’t get winded moreso. I definitely hope he can score a little bit more the rest of the way. That Toe drag coming down Left Wing will work eventually!
Go Go K.O. our eventual Capitan!!
I’ve had asthma my entire life too … I can tell you this much … a sport like hockey can even help an asthmatic… the training alone helps build up your lung capacity thus helping to diminish the spasm that is caused by asthma that brings on an attack.
That said however … since asthma is a spasm that constricts the airways you can never be to far away from a rescue inhailer to help dilate those bronchials in the lungs.
OK, so who is going to photoshop Beast from the X-Men in a KO Jersey?