Sami Kapanen Leaves Philly, Takes Head Coaching Job in Finland

Sami Kapanen is the new head coach of the Lahti Pelicans, the Finnish Liiga club announced on Monday.

“I am excited to take on the challenge offered to me,” said Kapanen, 51. “This season has been difficult for the Pelicans, but I believe in the competitiveness of the team and the club. The past few years have shown that the Pelicans have the potential to succeed. We are going to correct the course one game at a time. It has been a spark for me to return to coaching, and now with the opportunity presented by the Pelicans, I feel it is natural to take on the challenge.”

Like the rest of the Kapanen family, Sami’s career is closely linked to rival KalPa Kuopio – he began and ended his playing career with the club and was even the owner from 2003 to 2020. He was also KalPa’s head coach from 2017 to Dec. 2019.

Since 2022, Kapanen has worked in the Philadelphia Flyers organization as a pro scout and development coach for prospects playing in Europe. 

He joins a Pelicans club that reached the league’s final four last year but currently sits 15th in the 16-team Liiga, while KalPa is up in fifth place.

“Kapanen’s thoughts on the direction of the team, as well as his motivation to return to club coaching, convinced us,” said Pelicans’ sports director Janne Laukkanen, who played in the NHL at the same time as Kapanen. “Sami’s diverse experience in various positions in hockey, as well as his extensive network of contacts, also bring us valuable insight and competitiveness in the increasingly fierce competition.”

As a player, Kapanen was chosen in the fourth round, 87th overall, by the Hartford Whalers in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. From 1995 to 2008, the left winger had 458 points in 831 NHL regular-season games with the Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Flyers. He also had 35 points in 87 playoff games.

In 445 Liiga games spread over 10 seasons – mostly with KalPa but also briefly with IFK Helsinki – Kapanen had 320 points. He retired as a player in 2014.

Sami’s father Hannu, uncle Jari, brother Kimmo, sons Kasperi and Konsta, and nephew Oliver Kapanen have all played for KalPa as well and many have also had off-ice roles with the club. Kasperi currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers, Konsta currently plays for KalPa, and Oliver, who started this season with the Montreal Canadiens, currently plays in the SHL for Timrå IK, where father Kimmo is GM.

Kapanen takes over a Pelicans roster that includes Czech goaltender Patrik Bartošák and defenseman Michal Jordán, as well as 19-year-old Minnesota Wild prospect Rasmus Kumplulainen and 18-year-old defenseman Daniel Nieminen, who both played in this year’s World Juniors.