The Montreal Canadiens have inked Oliver Kapanen to a three-year entry-level contract. Kapanen, the 64th pick in the 2021 NHL draft, has spent the past three seasons playing in Finland’s top league with KalPa from Kuopio.
Although Kapanen’s progress has been gradual, it has consistently moved in a positive direction. After completing his National Service last summer, he was slow to return to hockey, but showed steady improvement after the new year, culminating in an impressive playoff performance where he led KalPa as the top scorer and first-line center. His slow progress has caused him to be somewhat overlooked by Canadiens fans.
Timrå, the team Kapanen signed with before this year’s World Championships, has congratulated him and clarified his future steps.
“Kapanen will head to Montreal for camp on September 18th. If he does not make the roster, he will return to Timrå as per the clause in his contract.”
