LONDON, Ont. — Wherever Kasperi Kapanen went last season he was surrounded by family. And not just any family: Finnish hockey royalty.
His father, Sami, was the owner of the KalPa team he played for while his uncle, Kimmo, was its director of hockey operations.
The youngest Kapanen even spent time with his grandfather Hannu — a former player and national junior team coach, who is enshrined in the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame — basically every day.
As much as that created a comfortable environment for the teenager it also came with some challenges. Carrying the label that comes with being a highly touted first-round NHL draft pick is tough enough; being the son of the owner and nephew of an executive brings even more spotlight.
“It’s always been a little burden on my back,” said Kapanen. “Just having that last name on there.”
As much as anything, this is a season for him to spread his wings.
Kapanen has already moved to Toronto — Leo Komarov is his new landlord — and will remain in the city no matter what happens during training camp. Even though he’s almost certainly headed for the AHL Marlies, scouts polled at the London rookie camp unanimously see him as a NHL-level talent.
Ultimately, the bloodlines and upbringing should help.
Kapanen remembers playing mini sticks inside NHL dressing rooms during his father’s playing days and exudes maturity when discussing the possibility of returning to them. He’s also motivated to add another chapter to the family history.
“I know my grandpa was a really good hockey player and my dad was even better and now it’s my turn to be the best,” said Kapanen.
When the Leafs dealt Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh in July, they viewed the 19-year-old as the most attractive part of the package that came back in return.
His skill was certainly evident during the London rookie tournament at Budweiser Gardens, which saw Kapanen face the Penguins in Sunday night’s finale, but also included a few teachable moments.
Kapanen turned heads at Pittsburgh’s camp last fall and also had a strong showing during 11 games with AHL Wilkes-Barre at the end of the season. Even though Leafs management has let it be known that they’re in no rush to see young prospects in the NHL, Kapanen intends to leave them with no choice during training camp.
“It’s all up to me,” he said.
As the competition for jobs ramps up in the coming weeks he’ll have no shortage of support, whether it comes from Komarov or his daily phone calls back to Finland.
He may be out on his own now, but he remains a family-first kind of guy.
“I really don’t see them as my dad and my grandpa, I just see them as my best friends,” said Kapanen. “They’re helping me out with anything; if it’s hockey or anything else they’ve got a solution for it and they’ve been through it before.
“I can’t thank them enough.”
Carrying on the family business is a good way to start.