# Oliver Kapanen

Oliver Kapanen (born 29 July 2003) is a Sweden-born Finnish professional ice hockey centre for Timrå IK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 64th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2021 NHL entry draft.

## Playing career

Kapanen was drafted in the second round, 64th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2021 NHL entry draft. He made his professional debut for KalPa during the 2021–22 season.
Following three seasons with KalPa, Kapanen opted to continue his development in the neighbouring Swedish Hockey League (SHL), joining Timrå IK on a two-year contract on 9 May 2024.
On 15 June 2024, Kapanen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens. Thereafter, Kapanen was named to the Canadiens' opening night roster for the 2024–25 season. After being a healthy scratch for the first game of the season, he made his NHL debut on 10 October, replacing Emil Heineman on the team's fourth line. He recorded an assist on Josh Anderson's third period goal for his first career NHL point. Following 12 appearances with the Canadiens, Kapanen was loaned back to Timrå IK on 6 November 2024.

## International play

Kapanen first represented his country as part of their national under-18 team at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships where he appeared in four games. He likewise represented the Finnish national junior team at the 2022 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships winning a silver medal, and again in 2023.
In May 2024, Kapanen made his senior debut for the Finland national team at the IIHF World Championship in Prague, recording a team-leading six goals in tournament play.

## Personal life

Kapanen comes from a hockey playing family. He is the grandson of former professional hockey player Hannu Kapanen and the son of Kimmo Kapanen. He is the great-nephew of Jari Kapanen [fi], nephew of Sami Kapanen and cousin of Kasperi Kapanen and Konsta Kapanen [fi].

## Career statistics
### Regular season and playoffs

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2019–20 | KalPa | FIN U20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | KalPa | FIN U20 | 37 | 25 | 16 | 41 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | Jokipojat | Mestis | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | KalPa | FIN U20 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 14 |
| 2021–22 | KalPa | Liiga | 16 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | IPK | Mestis | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021–22 | Kärpät | Liiga | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | KalPa | Liiga | 55 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 2023–24 | KalPa | Liiga | 51 | 14 | 20 | 34 | 32 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 6 |
| 2024–25 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Liiga totals | Liiga totals | Liiga totals | 124 | 27 | 38 | 65 | 62 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 12 |
| NHL totals | NHL totals | NHL totals | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |

### International

| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2021 | Finland | U18 | 4th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2022 | Finland | WJC | | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 2023 | Finland | WJC | 5th | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | Finland | WC | 8th | 8 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
| Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | Junior totals | 16 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Senior totals | Senior totals | Senior totals | Senior totals | 8 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 4 |