Oliver Kapanen On Leaving Habs: “It Feels Good To Return” To Timrå

On Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens announced that 21-year-old Finnish center Oliver Kapenen was being loaned to Timrå IK, the SHL club that he signed with in May. Kapanen already went to the Swedish team’s training camp in August and played pre-season games in September before the Canadiens’ camp. 

“It feels good to return,” Kapanen is quoted on the Timrå club website. “It has been a useful and good trip for me in Montreal. Now I look forward to coming home and contributing to the team and continuing my development in Timrå.”

Kapanen grew up playing for the Finnish club KalPa that is practically his family business – uncle Sami, a longtime NHLer, owned the club from 2003 to 2020. Oliver’s father Kimmo, a former goaltender, was also goaltending coach and then GM at KalPa, and is now GM of Timrå.

“We get here an already very good player but also with great potential who will continue his development with us next season,” the elder Kapanen said of his son in the role of GM. “Oliver raises the skill level of the team and gives us more depth at center, where we are convinced he will contribute greatly to the team.”

After Kapanen signed an entry-level NHL contract with in June, Timrå clarified his status, stating there was a clause in his contract that he would return to Timrå if he was cut by Montreal.

Kapanen had two assists in 12 NHL games with Montreal this season.

Heading into the international break, Timrå sits eighth in the 14-team SHL with eight wins in 16 games. According to the club’s website, Kapanen is expected to debut with the team on Nov. 14 against HV71, wearing uniform No. 89.