Charlotte Checkers forward Oliver Okulair has signed a two-year deal in Sweden with Skelleftea AIK, it was announced late last week.
A product of Trencin, Slovakia, Okuliar spent the entire 2024-25 season with the Checkers, scoring 19 goals and adding 22 assists for 41 points in 69 regular season games. With the Checkers having made a deep run in the playoffs, Okuliar put up eight points in 18 games.
Prior to coming over to Charlotte at the beginning of the season, Okuliar spent four seasons playing pro in Slovakia, Czechia and Finland. He also had experience playing in North America before 2024, having suited up for two seasons in the CHL between 2018 and 2020, spending one with the QMJHL's Sherbrooke Phoenix and the other with the WHL's Lethbridge Hurricanes.
As Okuliar heads back over to Europe, he looks like someone who will likely stay overseas for the foreseeable future. While he was a difference maker for the Checkers, he never got a look with the Florida Panthers. Although another NHL team could entice him in the future, for now, he will head to the SHL and be a go-to offensive player for his team.