SOCHI, Russia – The last place Olli Jokinen expected to find himself was back at another Olympics. Brent Sutter, of all people, is responsible for making it happen.

It was the former Flames coach who helped the 35-year-old rediscover his passion for the sport during Jokinen’s second go-around in Calgary. The veteran centre was in a bad place during the 2010 Games in Vancouver and announced his retirement from the Finnish national team after that event.

“You know what, four years ago, I was never even thinking that I would play hockey this long,” Jokinen said Monday at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. “At that time, I thought it would be maybe one year or two years that I (had left). But I’ve been able to stay healthy and I’ve kind of found a new passion of playing.

“Playing in Calgary under Brent, he kind of gave me a new life over there.”

Jokinen has been playing quite well in a third-line role for the Winnipeg Jets this season and expects to be put in a similar position during his fourth Olympics for Finland. The path back here began in the summer when coach Erkka Westerlund phoned him up and asked if he’d rethink his national team retirement.

“I was never expecting that call to happen,” he said. “I thought about it for a couple weeks and called him back and told him ‘Yeah, you can put me on that list.’ It kind of gave me motivation to have a good start to the season. …

“I’m happy and honoured that I was able to make this team. I can’t wait to start playing.”

The Finns are in the same group as Canada and will open their tournament against Austria on Thursday. The team has been hit hard with injuries to Mikko Koivu and Valtteri Filppula, but Jokinen believes the style of play it employs should help overcome it.

Jokinen seemed to be in great spirits after making the nine-hour flight over along with the other NHL players. He is joined here by fellow Finnish veterans Teemu Selanne and Kimmo Timonen, but won’t be announcing any retirement plans when this tournament ends.

“We were laughing on the way here in the flight,” said Jokinen. “Me and Timonen were laughing: ‘Here we go again.’ I guess this time it’s better to zip it up and not say anything because you never know.”