Montreal Canadiens centre Oliver Kapanen has returned from the Milan Cortina Olympics with a renewed sense of confidence and enrichment, despite limited playing time for his native Finland. The 22-year-old rookie played a key role in Finland's 6-1 bronze-medal victory over Slovakia, showcasing his skills on the top line and leaving a lasting impression.
A Valuable Learning Experience
Kapanen, who served as Finland's 13th forward for much of the tournament, saw his opportunity arise after an injury to star winger Mikko Rantanen. Thrust into action on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Artturi Lehkonen, Kapanen logged over 16 minutes of ice time in the bronze-medal game, recording one shot and a plus-1 goal differential.
"Experience-wise, I learned and saw what was going on, where the hockey is at its best now," Kapanen said after a Canadiens practice in Brossard. "It was a great experience, for sure. When you see the best players, you know where the level is at."
Making an Impact When It Mattered
Kapanen expressed pride in his performance, stating, "I hope I left an impression in the last game. I was waiting for my chance a long time and finally got it. I wanted to show my style. I showed my game." His efforts earned praise from linemate Sebastian Aho and demonstrated his readiness for high-level competition.
The bronze medal holds significant meaning for Kapanen and his family, who were present in Italy to witness the achievement. "It means a lot, for sure," he said. "I think it's a pretty big thing for the whole country. We got things back together pretty fast after the semifinal loss to Canada."
Canadiens Coach Sees Growth
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis believes Kapanen will benefit greatly from the Olympic experience, regardless of playing time. "He was really noticeable and really good," St. Louis remarked about Kapanen's bronze-medal performance. "There's so many things you can absorb from just being there and watching. It depends how you see it—glass half-full or glass half-empty? If the glass is half-full, you're going to come back with something to help you grow."
Kapanen has been a valuable contributor to the Canadiens this season, forming a productive line with Juraj Slafkovsky and Ivan Demidov. With 18 goals and 31 points, he has helped push Montreal to second place in the Atlantic Division with a 32-17-8 record.
Other Canadiens Olympians
The article also notes the experiences of other Canadiens players at the Olympics:
- Alexandre Texier represented France, which was eliminated after four losses, but he expressed gratitude for the opportunity and hope for future growth in French hockey.
- Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki returned healthy from the tournament and received rest days during practice.
- Goaltenders Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes are set to split upcoming games, though the starter against the New York Islanders was not specified.
Overall, Kapanen's Olympic journey has provided him with invaluable insights and momentum as he continues his rookie season with the Canadiens, energized by the high-level competition and team success in Milan.
