Montreal, QC – The Montreal Canadiens have officially signed forward Oliver Kapanen to a rookie contract, the team announced on Tuesday.
Kapanen, 21, was selected by the Canadiens in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He spent the past two seasons playing for KalPa in the Finnish Liiga, where he recorded 22 points in 52 games.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward is known for his speed and offensive skills, making him a promising addition to the Canadiens’ roster.
“We are thrilled to have Oliver join our organization,” said Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. “He is a talented young player with a lot of potential, and we believe he will be a valuable asset to our team.”
Kapanen comes from a hockey family, as his father Sami Kapanen played in the NHL for 12 seasons and is currently the head coach of KalPa. His brother Kasperi Kapanen is also a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“I am honored to sign with the Montreal Canadiens and am excited for the opportunity to play in the NHL,” said Kapanen. “I have been working hard to improve my game and am ready to contribute to the team’s success.”
Kapanen is expected to join the Canadiens for training camp in September and will compete for a spot on the roster for the upcoming season.
The Canadiens finished the 2020-2021 season with a record of 24-21-11 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Toronto Maple Leafs. With the addition of Kapanen, the team hopes to strengthen their lineup and make a deeper run in the playoffs next season.
Fans can look forward to seeing Kapanen in action as he joins the Canadiens’ young and talented core of players. Stay tuned for updates on his progress as he begins his journey with the team.
