Oliver Kapanen’s confidence does not appear to have been shaken following his dismissal to Sweden.
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The forward who played 12 games with the Habs before being traded to his SHL club quickly established himself as a driving force in the Timra IK attack.
In 13 games since CH decided to loan him for the rest of the season, the 21-year-old has already collected 12 points, including five goals. His average of 0.92 points per game is currently the highest on the circuit among players 23 and under.
From his first game in Sweden, his club entrusted him with the reins of the first line and a place on the first power play unit.
The Finn had a very good camp last fall with the CH, so much so that Martin St-Louis had no other choice but to give him a place in the starting lineup for the first match of the season.
After a dozen games and a haul of two assists, the coaching group came to the decision that the young forward still needed time before obtaining a full-time position in the National Hockey League ( NHL).
He still left an excellent business card.
“He had a great audition,” St-Louis said last November. “You see he’s a very intelligent player and I’m glad he had this experience to see how things work in the National League on a daily basis.”
“I was proud of him. Like any young player, he must continue to try to get a little stronger. Everything else is pretty good.”
Kapanen could join the Canadian or even line up with the Laval Rocket at the end of his season in Sweden.
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