Toronto Maple Leafs
Report: Former Maple Leafs Forward Kasperi Kapanen Suspected of Aggravated Drunk Driving
The 27-year-old spent five years in the Maple Leafs organization, from 2015 to 2020.
According to Finnish national broadcaster Yle, former Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen is suspected of aggravated drunk driving.
"The case has been brought up in the district court of Pohjois-Savo on August 23," the story reads via Google Translate, "and the case is scheduled to be heard in the district court in February 2024."
Kapanen's current club, the St. Louis Blues, have since confirmed the report with official statements.
"Last month I made an unacceptable error in judgment and take full responsibility for my actions," Kapanen said in a statement from the team. "I offer my apologies to my family, the Blues organization, my teammates, and the fans. I understand the severity of my mistake and am committed to doing everything I can to earn back their trust."
Blues GM Doug Armstrong also weighed in.
"Today we became aware of the incident involving Kasperi and I have spoken with him and his agent," he said. "We are disappointed in his lapse of judgement and are entrusting him to make the necessary changes to avoid putting himself in a similar situation in the future."
The 27-year-old was drafted in the first round (22nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2014 NHL Draft. Kapanen was then traded to Toronto (in the Phil Kessel trade) where he made his NHL debut in 2015.
Kapanen played 202 games for the Maple Leafs, scoring 41 goals and 49 points in that span.
The 27-year-old was traded back to the Penguins in August of 2020 and spent parts of three seasons there before being placed on waivers this past February. Kapanen was later claimed by the Blues and has one year remaining on his deal with the club.
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