SUNRISE, Fla. – Olli Jokinen never thought about making an All-Star team or taking advantages of the benefits that come with it. For a long time, he never had a reason to.

Selected as an All-Star reserve on Jan. 27, Jokinen and his wife had to cancel their planned trip to the Bahamas. Playing as a hometown hero was something the 24-year-old didn’t want to miss, but he’s been hesitant to fully experience the weekend.

Rather than join the rest of the league’s All-Stars at a swanky, Hollywood Beach resort, Jokinen made the decision to remain at home and spend the extra time with his family.

“I decided to stay at home, spend a little time with my daughter, wife,” Jokinen said. “Why bother to come to a hotel when you can stay home? We spend enough days at a hotel during the year. We decided to stay home and relax there.”

The decision is one many might be shocked to hear coming from the Finnish center. Considered a premiere player in the Finnish Elite League before heading to the NHL in 1997-98, Jokinen garnered a reputation of being overly self-confident early in his career.

Playing as a 17-year-old with IFK Helsinki, he earned the nickname “boss” from his veteran teammates for his cocky attitude. After becoming the highest drafted Finn in 1997 when the Los Angeles Kings chose him third overall, he compared himself to superstars Peter Forsberg and Eric Lindros.

Given the scrutiny the aforementioned players faced early in their careers, the comparisons were prophetic statements Jokinen now regrets making.

“When you’re young, you say some things you don’t mean to say,” Jokinen says. “It’s hard to compare to who you are because players are different. That time, at my age, I was a big guy, as big as anyone else in Europe. But when I came here, I had to lift the weights more than I was doing. All the guys were bigger and stronger and it’s not easy to play in this league when you’re 18.”

Jokinen’s swagger extended to his appearances with the Finnish National Team. Named captain of the nation’s junior team in 1997, Jokinen tallied four goals and two assists in six games as Finland captured gold on home ice.

The Finnish media captured Jokinen’s post-game celebration in the locker room, specifically of their captain smoking a cigar and sipping champagne. It was an image that left a negative impression on fans, especially since many never seen hockey heroes Jari Kurri or Esa Tikkanen act in such a manner.

“Finland is such a small country,” said Finnish hockey journalist Mauri Forsblom. “Everyone knows each other in hockey circles. You can’t be cocky in Finland.”

When it came time to produce in the NHL, Jokinen spent more time complaining about ice time than he did scoring goals. He received little sympathy from the Finnish media and fans, who watched their superstar-in-waiting collapse under the pressures of the NHL.

“When you get drafted high and you get a chance to play on pretty good lines in your first training camp, you think it’s not that difficult,” Jokinen said. “But when the season starts, you really see who you are. The guys pick it up for games. When you’re 18 and you’re from a different country, it’s not just better hockey. It’s everything else, too.

“I couldn’t handle that the first couple of years. I think a lot of young players go through that.”

But two humbling experiences changed Jokinen for the better.

The first was the coaching of Mike Keenan, which has turned the long-considered first-round bust into one of the league’s top goal scorers and emerging leaders.

“I definitely was one of his targets when he came here,” Jokinen said. “When I look back now, I am happy with that. He gave me a challenge and he still does. He’s letting me know if I have a bad practice or a bad game. I like that. He tries to push you to work harder.”

Offered more ice time and a challenge to produce from Keenan, Jokinen wasted no time trying to prove his worth. The 24-year-old opened the season with a career-high four-point night in Florida’s second game, then averaged a point-per-game over the next 25 contests.

By the All-Star break, Jokinen had pushed himself into the top 10 goal scorers and more than doubled his career numbers with 44 points through the All-Star break.

“When he has bad times, he’ll still keep pushing himself to the next level,” former Team Finland teammate Teemu Selanne said. “I am so happy to see him do so well because of what he has been going through, playing without confidence. Now, he’s finally found his confidence. He has always been that kind of player in Europe and now he’s found it here.”

Jokinen also credits his appearance at the 2002 Olympics as a confidence builder. In four games, he tallied two goals and an assist and led Team Finland with a plus-4.

“When you can play there and you can play against those guys, it gives you confidence,” Jokinen said. “It was just a great experience over there for 18 days and I really enjoyed it. Even after that, I started playing more and that really helped.”

“I think that showed good signs he is going to have a good year,” Selanne said. “It really helped that he could be around veteran players who had played so many years. I think it was good for guys like Olli and young guys.”

And now, with an All-Star appearance added to his small list of accomplishments, Jokinen already knows what Keenan’s next challenge will be.

With the recent trade of defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Jokinen is one of five remaining regulars in the Panthers locker room who have at least five years of NHL experience.

“I’ll still be wearing the ‘A,’ I’ve been wearing it all year. Sandis was one of them and he’s gone now. I think everybody needs to bring leadership in the room and I’m definitely one of those guys who has to step up.”

Through 51 games, he has.