Sami Kapanen
Encyclopedia
Sami Hannu Antero Kapanen (born June 14, 1973) is a Finnish professional ice hockey
right winger
currently playing for KalPa
of the SM-liiga
. He has played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for the Hartford Whalers
, Carolina Hurricanes
and Philadelphia Flyers
. He is also the majority owner and general manager
of KalPa.
by the Hartford Whalers
. His first NHL season was in 1995–96, when he played 35 games with Hartford. The Whalers relocated to become the Carolina Hurricanes
following the 1996–97 season and Kapanen averaged 24 goals and 35 assists in his next five seasons with Carolina. His best season was in 2001–02 when he scored 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points. He was selected twice for the NHL All Star Game (2000, 2002), winning the Individual event for "the Fastest skater" on both occasions.
On February 7, 2003, Kapanen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers
along with Ryan Bast
for Pavel Brendl
and Bruno St. Jacques
. In his first two seasons with Philadelphia, Kapanen played 31 playoff games, scoring 17 points.
Sami Kapanen has played three times for Finland at the Winter Olympics. In 18 Olympic games he scored 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points. In the NHL, Kapanen has played 831 regular season games, scoring 189 goals and 269 assists for 458 points. He has also played in 87 playoff games, scoring 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points. Kapanen also won a gold medal at the 1995 Ice Hockey World Championships
.
Since 2003, Kapanen has also been the majority owner of the Finnish hockey team KalPa
Kuopio, the same club that gave him his start as a professional. One of the minority owners is Kimmo Timonen
who in 2007 became Kapanen's teammate on the Flyers. Following the 2007–08 season, Kapanen announced that he would be returning to Finland to play for KalPa. He retired as a player after the 2009–10 season.
On April 7, 2011, Kapanen announced that he would be doing a comeback as a player in KalPa, playing on a two year contract. He, however, stepped down as the club's chief executive officer
(CEO) and instead handed that role over to his brother Kimmo Kapanen
.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
right winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
currently playing for KalPa
KalPa
The Kalevan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Kuopio, Finland at the Niiralan monttu.-Team history:Established in 1929, the full name of the company that runs the representative team is KalPa Hockey Oy. The majority of the company is owned by NHL players Sami Kapanen and...
of the SM-liiga
SM-liiga
The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice...
. He has played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) for the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
, Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
and Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He is also the majority owner and general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of KalPa.
Playing career
Sami Kapanen was drafted 87th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft1995 NHL Entry Draft
The 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. Instead, a draft lottery was instituted in which the winner of the lottery could move...
by the Hartford Whalers
Hartford Whalers
The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97...
. His first NHL season was in 1995–96, when he played 35 games with Hartford. The Whalers relocated to become the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
following the 1996–97 season and Kapanen averaged 24 goals and 35 assists in his next five seasons with Carolina. His best season was in 2001–02 when he scored 27 goals and 42 assists for 69 points. He was selected twice for the NHL All Star Game (2000, 2002), winning the Individual event for "the Fastest skater" on both occasions.
On February 7, 2003, Kapanen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
along with Ryan Bast
Ryan Bast
Ryan Bast is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played two games in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 1998–99 season.-Career statistics:-External links:...
for Pavel Brendl
Pavel Brendl
Pavel Brendl is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL.-Playing career:...
and Bruno St. Jacques
Bruno St. Jacques
Bruno St. Jacques is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Straubing Tigers of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga...
. In his first two seasons with Philadelphia, Kapanen played 31 playoff games, scoring 17 points.
Sami Kapanen has played three times for Finland at the Winter Olympics. In 18 Olympic games he scored 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points. In the NHL, Kapanen has played 831 regular season games, scoring 189 goals and 269 assists for 458 points. He has also played in 87 playoff games, scoring 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points. Kapanen also won a gold medal at the 1995 Ice Hockey World Championships
Ice Hockey World Championships
The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
.
Since 2003, Kapanen has also been the majority owner of the Finnish hockey team KalPa
KalPa
The Kalevan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Kuopio, Finland at the Niiralan monttu.-Team history:Established in 1929, the full name of the company that runs the representative team is KalPa Hockey Oy. The majority of the company is owned by NHL players Sami Kapanen and...
Kuopio, the same club that gave him his start as a professional. One of the minority owners is Kimmo Timonen
Kimmo Timonen
Kimmo Timonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
who in 2007 became Kapanen's teammate on the Flyers. Following the 2007–08 season, Kapanen announced that he would be returning to Finland to play for KalPa. He retired as a player after the 2009–10 season.
On April 7, 2011, Kapanen announced that he would be doing a comeback as a player in KalPa, playing on a two year contract. He, however, stepped down as the club's chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
(CEO) and instead handed that role over to his brother Kimmo Kapanen
Kimmo Kapanen
Kimmo Kapanen is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender.Kapanen played for several Finnish teams during his career including Ässät, HPK and KalPa...
.
Awards
- Bronze Medal at the Winter Olympics in 1994.
- Named to the SM-liiga First All-Star Team in 1994.
- Bronze Medal at the Winter Olympics in 1998.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2000.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2002.
- Awarded the Yanick Dupre Memorial in 2004.
- Awarded the Gene Hart Memorial Award in 2007.
Records
- Tied a record for scoring two consecutive overtime goals in two consecutive games. (Since broken by Andrew CoglianoAndrew CoglianoAndrew Cogliano is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He formerly played for the Edmonton Oilers.- Junior :...
) - Two-time NHL All Star game individual event Fastest Skater winner (2000, 2002) completing a lap around an NHL rink in 13.649 resp. 14.039 seconds.
- Fastest Man on ice awarded when he completed a lap around an NHL rink in 12.7 seconds.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1989–90 | KalPa KalPa The Kalevan Pallo is an ice hockey team in the SM-liiga. They play in Kuopio, Finland at the Niiralan monttu.-Team history:Established in 1929, the full name of the company that runs the representative team is KalPa Hockey Oy. The majority of the company is owned by NHL players Sami Kapanen and... |
Fin-Jr. | 30 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | KalPa | Fin-Jr. | 31 | 9 | 27 | 36 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | KalPa | SM-l SM-liiga The SM-liiga is the top professional ice hockey league in Finland. As of March 2008, it is ranked by the IIHF as the second strongest league in Europe. It was created in 1975 to replace the SM-sarja, which was fundamentally an amateur league. The SM-liiga is not directly overseen by the Finnish Ice... |
14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1991–92 | KalPa | Fin-Jr. | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | KalPa | SM-l | 42 | 15 | 10 | 25 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | KalPa | SM-l | 37 | 4 | 17 | 21 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | KalPa | SM-l | 48 | 23 | 32 | 55 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Finnish National Team | — | 20 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | HIFK HIFK (ice hockey) HIFK is an ice hockey team based in Helsinki, Finland. The team plays at Helsinki Ice Hall. It was founded in 1897... |
SM-l | 49 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | Finnish National Team | — | 19 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Hartford Whalers Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
35 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
Springfield Falcons Springfield Falcons The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
28 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1995–96 | Finnish National Team | — | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 45 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Finnish National Team | — | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 81 | 26 | 37 | 63 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 81 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 76 | 24 | 24 | 48 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 82 | 20 | 37 | 57 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 77 | 27 | 42 | 69 | 23 | 23 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 2002–03 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 43 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Philadelphia Flyers Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 28 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | ||
| 2003–04 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 74 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 14 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 2004–05 | KalPa | Mestis Mestis Mestis, , is the second-highest ice hockey league in Finland.The league was established in 2000 to replace the first division. Since 2000, Mestis has been the highest hockey league in Finland that can be reached with playing merits only; the SM-liiga was closed in 2000... |
10 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 4 | ||
| 2005–06 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 58 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 77 | 11 | 14 | 25 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 74 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | KalPa | SM-l | 55 | 20 | 24 | 44 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 SM-liiga season The 2009–10 SM-liiga season the 35th season of the SM-liiga, the top level of ice hockey in Finland, since the league's formation in 1975. TPS won the Kanada-malja and Ilari Filppula from TPS won the Jari Kurri trophy... |
KalPa | SM-l | 49 | 15 | 31 | 46 | 58 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 831 | 189 | 269 | 458 | 175 | 87 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 22 | ||||
| SM-liiga totals | 294 | 92 | 144 | 236 | 156 | 36 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 6 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Finland Finland men's national junior ice hockey team The Finnish men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Finland. The team represents Finland at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World U20 Championship.-2011 WJC roster:... |
EJC | 6 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 0 | |
| 1991 | Finland | WJC 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 15th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held in various communities in Saskatchewan, Canada... |
7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 8 | |
| 1992 | Finland | WJC 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1992 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 16th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and was held from December 26, 1991 until January 4, 1992. It was held in Füssen and Kaufbeuren, Germany... |
7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1994 | Finland | OG Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1994 Winter Olympics was held at the Fjellhallen in Gjøvik and the Håkons Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. The competition, held from February 12 to February 27, was won by Sweden and Canada as runner-up.-Final rankings:Source:* Gold -... |
8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1994 | Finland | WC 1994 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships - Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :... |
8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1995 | Finland | WC 1995 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 1995 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was played in Stockholm and Gavle Sweden, from April 23rd to May the 7th, 1995. In the tournament finals, Finland won the gold medal by winning over Sweden 4-1 at the Globen arena in Stockholm. The Finnish goals were scored by Timo Jutila and Ville... |
8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | |
| 1996 | Finland | WC 1996 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships - Group 2 :- Quarterfinals :- Consolation Round 11-12 Place :Austria was relegated to Group B.- Semifinals :- Match for third place :- Final :-World Championship Group B :... |
6 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |
| 1996 | Finland | WCH 1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey .... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| 1998 | Finland | OG Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1998 Winter Olympics was played at The Big Hat and Aqua Wing Arena in Nagano, Japan.-Men's tournament:The 1998 Olympic men's ice hockey tournament was the first in which professional players from the National Hockey League were allowed to participate, allowing national teams to... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1998 | Finland | WC 1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group C :Played March 22-28 in Budapest, Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros.- Group 1 :- Group 2 :- Final Round 25-28 Place :Hungary was promoted to Group B.- Consolation Round 29-32 Place :... |
10 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2001 | Finland | WC 2001 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -Championship:Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2002# — relegated to Division I for 2002# - Group A :Group A was played in Grenoble, France between April 16 and April 22, 2001... |
8 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 8 | |
| 2002 | Finland | OG Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:... |
4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2004 | Finland | WCH 2004 World Cup of Hockey The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues... |
Did not play | |||||
| 2006 | Finland | OG Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and... |
Did not play | |||||
| 2009 | Finland | WC 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2009 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 73rd such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 46 countries participated in four levels of competition. The competition also served as qualifications for the 2010 competition... |
7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2010 | Finland | WC 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 74th such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 48 countries participated in four levels of competition... |
7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| WC totals | 54 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 20 | |||
| OG totals | 18 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | |||
| WJC totals | 14 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | |||
External links
- Sami Kapanen on nhlfinns.com