2014 NHL Draft Watch: Kasperi Kapanen
By Robert Nasso
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
In anticipation of the Sharks’ 2014 NHL Draft selection, we will be highlighting the top 30 prospects over the next few weeks.
Name: Kasperi Kapanen
Position: Right Wing
Handedness: Right
Jersey Number: 42
Height: 5’10″
Weight: 165 lbs.
Birthdate: 7/23/1996
Hometown: Kuopio, Finland
Son of former NHL player and former Philadelphia Flyers alternate captain Sami Kapanen, Kasperi Kapanen has had the privilege of playing with his father for KalPa in the Finnish league Liiga. Kasperi has scored 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 28 games in his first full season in the highest Finnish league.
Last year in the U-18 WJC, Kasperi had an impressive tournament for Finland, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points in 7 games. This year, Kasperi was expected to be one of the top players for the U-20 Finnish WJC team as an underager, however a shoulder injury he sustained in December kept him out of the tournament. Unfortunately for him, he could not be a part of the gold medal winning Finnish team this year.
Captained by his father Sami, KalPa signed Kasperi through the 15-16 season, however if his development goes as planned, he could possibly be playing in North America as early as the 14-15 season.
Future Considerations had this scouting report on Kasperi Kapanen:
"Kapanen is a small and slippery with very creative hands and impressive 1-on-1 arsenal. He has a decent shot with good release but needs added velocity. He has quick feet and impressive lateral agility and is a dangerous goal scorer who can make skilled passes and offensive zone reads."
Kapanen’s biggest attribute is his goal-scoring ability and although slightly undersized, he has been widely regarded as a potential top 10 pick in the upcoming draft.