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Oliver Kapanen

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Oliver Kapanen
Kapanen at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
Born (2003-07-29) 29 July 2003 (age 21)
Timrå, Sweden
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 179 lb (81 kg; 12 st 11 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Former teams		 Montreal Canadiens
Timrå IK (SHL)
KalPa
Oulun Kärpät
National team  Finland
NHL draft 64th overall, 2021
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2021–present

Oliver Kapanen (born 29 July 2003) is a Sweden-born Finnish[1] professional ice hockey centre for Timrå IK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 64th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

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Kapanen was drafted in the second round, 64th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2021 NHL entry draft.[2] He made his professional debut for KalPa during the 2021–22 season.[3]

Following three seasons with KalPa, Kapanen opted to continue his development in the neighbouring Swedish Hockey League (SHL), joining Timrå IK on a two-year contract on 9 May 2024.[4]

On 15 June 2024, Kapanen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens.[5] Thereafter, Kapanen was named to the Canadiens' opening night roster for the 2024–25 season.[6] After being a healthy scratch for the first game of the season, he made his NHL debut on 10 October, replacing Emil Heineman on the team's fourth line.[7] He recorded an assist on Josh Anderson's third period goal for his first career NHL point.[8][9] Following 12 appearances with the Canadiens, Kapanen would be loaned back to Timrå IK on 6 November 2024.[10]

International play

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Medal record
Representing  Finland
Men's ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Canada

Kapanen represented Finland at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in four games.[11] He likewise represented Finland at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships winning a silver medal,[12][13] and again in 2023.[14]

In May 2024, Kapanen would make his senior debut for Finland at the IIHF Ice Hockey Championships in Prague, recording a team-leading six goals in tournament play.[15]

Personal life

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Kapanen comes from a hockey playing family. He is the grandson of former professional hockey player Hannu Kapanen and the son of Kimmo Kapanen. He is the great-nephew of Jari Kapanen [fi], nephew of Sami Kapanen and cousin of Kasperi Kapanen and Konsta Kapanen [fi].[16]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2019–20 KalPa FIN U20 2 1 0 1 0 — — — — —
2020–21 KalPa FIN U20 37 25 16 41 26 — — — — —
2020–21 Jokipojat Mestis 5 3 2 5 12 — — — — —
2021–22 KalPa FIN U20 11 7 8 15 0 10 5 6 11 14
2021–22 KalPa Liiga 16 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
2021–22 IPK Mestis 8 1 3 4 2 — — — — —
2021–22 Kärpät Liiga 2 0 2 2 0 — — — — —
2022–23 KalPa Liiga 55 12 15 27 28 7 0 1 1 6
2023–24 KalPa Liiga 51 14 20 34 32 13 7 7 14 6
Liiga totals 124 27 38 65 62 20 7 8 15 12

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2021 Finland U18 4th 4 0 0 0 2
2022 Finland WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 7 1 1 2 4
2023 Finland WJC 5th 5 2 1 3 0
2024 Finland WC 8th 8 6 0 6 4
Junior totals 16 3 2 5 6
Senior totals 8 6 0 6 4

References

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  1. ^ Bexell, Patrik (6 September 2021). "2021 Montreal Canadiens Top 25 Under 25: #16 Oliver Kapanen". Habs Eyes on the Prize. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  2. ^ Cudzinowski, Matt (24 July 2021). "Kidney: 'It's a dream come true'". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via NHL.com.
  3. ^ Bexell, Patrik (26 October 2021). "European Prospect Report: Oliver Kapanen nets his first Liiga goal". Habs Eyes on the Prize. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Varmt välkommen till Timrå IK - Oliver Kapanen!" [Welcome Oliver Kapanen to Timrå IK] (in Swedish). Timrå IK. 9 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Three-year, entry-level contract for Oliver Kapanen". Montreal Canadiens. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 – via NHL.com.
  6. ^ "NHL announces opening night rosters for 2024-25 season". National Hockey League. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  7. ^ Cowan, Stu (10 October 2024). "Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen will make his NHL debut against Bruins". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen: Enters lineup, posts assist". CBS Sports. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  9. ^ "MTL@BOS: Game recap". Montreal Canadiens. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024 – via NHL.com.
  10. ^ "Oliver Kapanen loaned to Timra IK". Montreal Canadiens. 6 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024 – via NHL.com.
  11. ^ Landvogt, Chapin (26 April 2021). "Who to watch at U18 Worlds". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  12. ^ Kimelman, Adam (8 December 2021). "Sweden announces roster for 2022 World Junior Championship". National Hockey League. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  13. ^ Podnieks, Andrew (21 August 2022). "Canada claims summertime gold in OT". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  14. ^ Bexell, Patrik (6 December 2022). "Oliver Kapanen named to the Finland World Junior roster". Habs Eyes on the Prize. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  15. ^ Johnston, Chris (4 June 2024). "Canadiens' Oliver Kapanen, latest progeny of Finland's first hockey family, forging NHL path his 'own way'". The Athletic. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Kapanen relishes bloodlines in draft journey". FCHockey. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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