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Niko Kapanen

Niko Kapanen
Niko Kapanen 2013.JPG
Born (1978-04-29) 29 April 1978 (age 39)
Hattula, Finland
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
Liiga team
Former teams
HPK
TPS
Dallas Stars
EV Zug
Atlanta Thrashers
Phoenix Coyotes
Ak Bars Kazan
HC Lev Praha
Jokerit
National team  Finland
NHL Draft 173rd overall, 1998
Dallas Stars
Playing career 1996–present
Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Finland
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2006 Turin
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Vancouver
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Bratislava
Silver medal – second place 2001 Cologne
Silver medal – second place 2007 Moscow
Bronze medal – third place 2000 St Petersburg
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Quebec City
World Cup
Silver medal – second place 2004 Canada
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 1998 Finland

Niko Klaus Petteri Kapanen (born 29 April 1978) is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre, currently playing for HPK of the Finnish Liiga.

Kapanen was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 6th round as the 173rd overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. During the 2005–06 season, Kapanen recorded a career high in goals (14) and points (35). He scored his first career hat-trick on February 9, 2006 against the Phoenix Coyotes in a 5–1 victory.

On June 24, 2006, Kapanen was traded by the Stars to the Atlanta Thrashers, along with 7th round draft pick in 2006, for defenceman Jaroslav Modrý and centerman Patrik Štefan. During his first season with the Thrashers, Kapanen was picked up off the waiver list by the Phoenix Coyotes.

On June 9, 2008, Kapanen left the NHL and signed for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League.

After five seasons with Ak Bars, Kapanen left as a free agent to sign a multi-year contract with Czech club HC Lev Praha of the KHL on August 11, 2013. Hampered by injury, Kapanen had a less than successful regular 2013–14 season with Praha, but redeemed himself in playoffs to post 11 points in 21 games as Lev reached the Gagarin Cup finals.

Kapanen association with Lev was ended after one-year upon the club announcing financial bankruptcy. On July 10, 2014, Kapanen signed a one-year contract with new Finnish KHL entrant, Jokerit.

Kapanen had a highly decorated international career with Finland in collecting a medal at every level played. He made his debut as a junior in the 1997 World Junior Championships, claiming a gold medal at the following junior Championships in 1998. At the senior men's level Kapanen competed in 9 World Championships in capturing 5 medals, including a gold at the 2011 World Championships. He twice represented Finland at the Winter Olympics claiming a Silver and Bronze at the 2006 and 2010 tournaments respectively.


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