Finland’s top reserve Kasper Halttunen experienced a memorable trip to Nashville and San Jose.
- Halttunen was the first Finnish player in the NHL draft held at the end of June after San Jose selected him with number 36.
- From the booking event in Nashville, Halttunen continued directly to the development camp in San Jose.
- This week he signed an NHL contract with the Sharks.
HIFK’s top talent Kasper Halttunen signed his first NHL contract last Wednesday. The matter was arranged remotely.
– We printed the contract that came via e-mail, and in the presence of the family I wrote my name on it. Then we took a couple of pictures and ate with the family and girlfriend. It was a great moment, Halttunen enthuses.
The signing fee for the winger, who turned 18 in June, was $95,000.
– I have to use the money wisely. I still haven’t fully realized what has been done. You don’t play this for the money, but of course it brings its own flavor and is a great thing.
Halttunen’s three-year rookie contract is worth 2.85 million dollars, or about 2.55 million euros. Its cap hit will be $940,000 next season.
In Farma, on the AHL side, the seasonal salary would however remain at 82,500 euros. Halttunen may also continue as a Sharks loan player at HIFK.
– It is still too early to say. My wish is that I play in such an environment, where I develop the most.
Finland’s number one
At the end of June, Halttus became the first Finnish reservation in the NHL draft, when the San Jose Sharks picked him up with reservation number 36.
Just a year ago, the Vikings and Jokers star was ranked as a first-round player. However, the youngster was not upset by the extension of the reservation to the beginning of the second round.
– I looked at quite a few rankings, and it didn’t matter when the reservation came. Whether it was the first or second round, it doesn’t make me a better or worse player, he says.
Jump to the League
Hard power in the junior age groups Halttunen’s breakthrough to the league level last season was not as successful as hoped, when one assist was the only power mark in 27 matches.
– It didn’t go quite the same as before or what I’m used to, he admits.
– Sure, Liiga is a really tough series, full of good and experienced players. I don’t want to be unlucky, but a puck could have bounced in. However, there were some pretty good places.
In the U20 SM series, Halttunen scored 18 goals in 18 matches, but in the men’s games, the strengths of the then only 17-year-old power forward did not come out in the best way yet. Over time, the 191-centimeter and already almost 100-kilogram young man is guaranteed to be hard to hold even in them.
Naturally, the role was smaller in the League than in the youth games, and Halttunen did not get to use his real weapon, a high-quality shot, with the same superiority.
– However, I got good opportunities, and there should be To Ville Pelton and grateful to the other coaches and team members for that. Every day you had to fight for a place in the game and train well to earn those games.
Halttunen (right) was difficult for the opponents in the under-18 World Championship. PDO
Halttunen ended the season in Switzerland at the Under-18 World Championships and was in his element again. He forged 6+4=10 performances in five matches and was Finland’s best scorer.
– It was the main event of the season for me, and I succeeded there. As a team, it didn’t go as we wanted, which, of course, you can’t be satisfied with, Halttunen sums up the tournament that ended in the quarterfinals.
Straight to camp
The NHL booking ceremony was a memorable experience for Halttus.
– It was a pretty amazing setting in Nashville. That trip was a real dream come true, which I was able to share with my family and girlfriend.
A client of the same agency company Emil Pieniniemi was also there with his family.
– We were with them, and it was really wonderful, says Halttunen.
The Kärppi defender, who represents the same age group born in 2005, became the Pittsburgh Penguins’ third-round pick with number 91.
Halttunen continued from Nashville directly to San Jose’s week-long development camp, which did not diminish as an experience for the booking event.
– The weather in California was perfect, and we got to see a little of the city. You don’t see many palm trees in Finland, so it was a really nice place.
– The camp was also absolutely amazing. There you got to work with NHL legends, such as Patrick Marleau with. And of course also with all the prospects, from whom I got new friends, says Halttunen, referring to the club’s other young promises.
Construction phase
Halttunen is excited that the Sharks booked him.
– I couldn’t be happier that I got to a really, really good place. San Jose is currently in a small rebuildphase, he says, referring to the renewal of the team.
– It’s probably better to give displays than in an experienced team that is a champion candidate.
– The organization and the entire staff are really nice people. A good bag is on there.
It is also positive that the farm team Barracuda – which can be the address at the beginning – operates in the same city. It makes living arrangements easier.
– The halls are a five-minute drive from each other, and the fans are probably almost the same.
Family support
Halttunen is a top hockey player of the second generation, and a father Niko Halttunen is remembered as a two-time Finnish champion from the Jokers of the 1990s.
– His importance has been extremely great, Kasper says about his father, who also served as his coach.
– Without him, I wouldn’t be at this point, and I can never thank him enough.
Halttunen also profusely thanks his mother Johanna Lapp and who plays in the Jokerien U16 team Noah– to his brother.
– Mother has kept the places clean when she is a physiotherapist, and the little brother has always wrestled in yard games. The support of the whole family has been absolutely incredible.