Finland’s NHL sensation meant to quit hockey – Then everything changed: “There has been trouble”

1. Teemu Selänne

2. Patrick Laine

3. Jari Kurri

4. Oliver Kapanen

This is what the list of Finland’s best rookie goal scorers in the NHL would look like if Kapanen, 22, continues to fill the net until the end of the season at the current pace.

– I know I can score goals. When I scored the first goal in the first game, the locks opened and self-confidence rose high, Kapanen stated already in October Montreal Gazette in the interview.

At that time, the youngster had scored four goals in the first seven games.

– I’m not surprised by how I’m scoring goals now, the center continued boasting confidence.

Now that the season is more than half way over, Kapanen has scored 16 goals in 46 games and leads the goal exchange for rookies. He scores a whopping 29 goals in a season.

To be continued

Kapanen already played 18 games in the NHL last season, but then the Goal Account had not yet opened, and he returned to Europe with Timrå in the Swedish Premier League.

At that time, Timrå’s sports director was the current sports director of Kärppie Kimmo KapanenOliver Kapanen’s father. He followed his son’s moves and development with a close eye, and is therefore not too surprised by the youngster’s brilliant first season in the big league.

– The SHL is a tough series where it is difficult to score points. Oliver still played at a point per game pace, which was a sign that he has a chance to succeed in the NHL, dad sees.

As Timrå’s number one center, Kapanen scored 35 (15+20) power points in 36 regular season games. He was the fourth most effective player in the series in terms of point average.

– I think this season has been a natural continuation of that, the father continues.

In the summer, Kapanen gained even more strength and explosiveness.

– They are life conditions in the NHL. There, the player has to be explosive, strong in skating and strong in fighting, Kimmo Kapanen knows.

Adaptations

Kapase has a good shot. He has scored a few goals directly from the pass, but the net has also swung a lot from guides and loose pucks in front of the goal.

Kapanen is an exceptional young European in the sense that he greedily and courageously goes to the so-called “war zone” in front of the goal.

– Oliver has always been a certain kind of adaptor. He looks around a bit and then finds a way to perform. He does what the game asks, says Kimmo Kapanen.

In Montreal, Kapanen conscientiously takes care of his own head in the middle of the second chain and finishes Ivan Demidov namu passports in the backpack. On the other side of the chain, a large power forward is lurking Juraj Slafkovskýwhich makes room for its chain friends.

– Without detracting from Oliver’s own performance, he has also been able to play with good players, which always adds a little more to the number column, says the father.

Versatile

Although the young Finn has made headlines for his goals, Montreal’s head coach Martin St. Louis particularly appreciates Kapanen’s versatility.

– I think he has the potential to become a comprehensive player. He can play underpowered and overpowered. He manages the risks really well and is constantly improving in the offensive game, St. Louis recently assessed on the NHL website.

Dad agrees with the player legend.

– The courage to play will definitely develop as he gains more experience. Last year in the SHL, he was clearly braver with the puck and was able to take more risks.

In Montreal, Kapase also has a different role than last season in the SHL. Alongside the virtuoso Demidov, the Finn must be a more assertive player.

Development must also take place in the starts (47%), because Kapanen has been a clearly negative player in them this season.

A long way

Kapanen was not a child star. The father remembers how the boy couldn’t even play in KalPa’s first team as a C-junnu.

– He then went with the academy team to get maximum games.

A couple of years earlier, when he was 13–14 years old, Kapanen even considered quitting hockey.

– I don’t remember how many weeks or months Oliver took a break when his friend decided to quit. However, Oliver went back and decided to continue.

As a child, the boy also played a lot of other ball games.

– We had bats and balls for every game, but Oliver didn’t play in any club. He went to watch KuPS’s youth league, but was not enthusiastic about it.

According to the father, the boy’s strong competitive spirit was already visible as a child, but it was only at the age of C, i.e. from about 15 years of age, that the development progressed steadily thanks to hard work.

– He has never received anything for free. There have been ups and downs along the way, but Oliver has always picked himself up from them.

“Sloppy”

When the jersey is put on, Kapase emerges as a merciless competitor who wants to win. Outside the box, the grip is significantly more relaxed.

– He’s such a calm guy, dad laughs.

In his free time, the laughing young man likes to do puzzles and play cards. I am also interested in sports.

– He certainly watches football the most, but he does watch other sports as well.

Father and son communicate almost daily, but Kimmo Kapanen no longer gives his son game-related instructions. In addition, with video calls, news is changed every week.

– On Boxing Day, a smiling boy made a video call and said that he had been selected for the Olympic team, Kimmo Kapanen says.

It was quite expected news.

In addition to Kapanen, there is only one other member of the Lions’ attack team at the Olympics right’s player: Joel Armia.

What kind of role do you think Oliver will have in the Olympics?

– No smell at all! I hope you get to play, dad laughs.

Finland’s Olympic tournament starts on Wednesday, February 11. against Slovakia.