Lahti Pelicans does not yet have a head coach for next season.
52-year-old Sami Kapanen may be seen on the Pelicans’ bench next season as well. Tomi Natri/AOP
The contract between Lahti Pelicans and head coach Sami Kapanen ends this season.
However, NHL veteran Kapanen is probably close to an extension contract, because according to information received by Iltalehti, the Pelicans have offered the NHL veteran an extension and are now waiting for Kapanen’s answer to the matter.
The Pelicans have not actually negotiated with other head coach candidates.
52-year-old Kapanen is coaching in Lahti in his second season. Pelicans hired Kapanen in February of last year to replace Juhamatti Yli-Junnila.
Before that, Kapanen worked in Kuopio as the head coach of KalPa, the pilot of the Swiss club Lugano, and the development coach and talent scout of the Philadelphia Flyers in Europe.
A long NHL career
Kapanen played a wonderful NHL career of 831 regular season games.
In the SM league, the man played for ten seasons, representing KalPa, with the exception of one season spent in the ranks of HIFK.
On Wednesday night, Pelicans will play in their home hall against league jumbo Sport.
The team is ranked 10th in the SM league before Wednesday’s round.
