Oliver Kapanen, the young forward for the Montreal Canadiens, played his first NHL game last night but has now been fined. This fine comes as a result of him doing his customary ‘victory lap’ without a helmet prior to his debut with the team, which is against league rules.
For several years, it has been prohibited for players to be on the ice without a helmet, with the exception of certain veteran players who have been grandfathered in. Rookies, however, are required to wear helmets at all times. Regardless, it was a memorable moment for Kapanen, and he likely feels it was worth the fine.
After all, you only get to experience your first NHL game once, especially in a place like Boston!
At just 21, Kapanen stands 6 feet tall and weighs 180 pounds. He was selected 64th overall by the Canadiens in the 2021 draft (second round) and had an impressive season last year in Finland’s top league, amassing 34 points in 51 games. In the playoffs, he recorded 14 points across 13 games, showcasing his significant development in recent months.
In his matchup against the Bruins, he earned his first NHL point with an assist, along with a shot on goal in just over 10 minutes of ice time, maintaining a plus-minus of 0. We have a feeling this player will be a favorite, and we hope he remains in Montreal for a long time.
