Kasper Kotkansalo Explained

Kasper Kotkansalo
Birth Date:16 November 1998
Birth Place:Espoo, Finland
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:198
Position:Defence
Shoots:Left
Team:Kiekko-Espoo
Former Teams:Ässät
HIFK
Draft:71st overall
Draft Year:2017
Draft Team:Detroit Red Wings
Career Start:2020

Kasper Kotkansalo (born 16 November 1998) is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for Kiekko-Espoo of the Finnish Liiga. Kotkansalo played college hockey at Boston University. He was drafted 71st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

On 13 October 2016, Kotkansalo committed to play college ice hockey for Boston University during the 2017–18 season.[1] During the 2016–17 season, Kotkansalo recorded one goal and 11 assists in 47 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL).[2] After the 2019–20 season was abruptly cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kotkansalo returned to his native Finland to be with his family.[3] He finished his career with two goals and 23 assists in 112 games for the Terriers.[4]

On 2 August 2020, Kotkansalo announced he would not return to Boston University for his senior season, citing uncertainties with the COVID-19 pandemic, and would stay in his native Finland to play hockey.[5] On 3 August 2020, Kotkansalo signed a one-year contract with Ässät of the Finnish Liiga.[6] He made his professional debut for Ässät on 2 October 2020.[7] He scored his first career goal on 28 November 2020.[8]

Career statistics

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2015–16Espoo BluesJr. A48415193660334
2016–17Sioux Falls StampedeUSHL471111243
HE4024622
Boston UniversityHE380111116
Boston UniversityHE3408823
2020–21ÄssätLiiga58391256
2021–22HIFKLiiga52 4 12 16 10
2022–23HIFKLiiga24 1 6 7 6
2023–24HIFKLiiga23 2 3 5 87 0 0 0 0
Liiga totals157 10 30 40 807 0 0 0 0

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Men's Hockey: Defenseman Kasper Kotkansalo Commits to BU . Dan . Shulman . sites.bu.edu . 13 October 2016 . 14 December 2020.
  2. Web site: Red Wings prospect Kasper Kotkansalo banks on sizable future . Ted . Kulfan . . 19 August 2017 . 14 December 2020.
  3. Web site: By the Numbers Prospects: Kasper Kotkansalo . NHL.com . Dana . Wakiji . 25 September 2020 . 14 December 2020.
  4. Web site: Due to COVID-19 situation, Boston University's Kotkansalo staying in Finland for '20-21 season . USCHO.com . 5 August 2020 . 14 December 2020.
  5. Web site: Wings prospect Kotkansalo playing in Finland this season . NHL.com . Dana . Wakiji . 12 August 2020 . 14 December 2020.
  6. Web site: Puolustus vahvistuu uudella ja tutulla nimellä . assat.com . 3 August 2020 . 14 December 2020 . fi-FI.
  7. Web site: Ässät - TPS kokoonpanot . assat.com . 2 October 2020 . 14 December 2020 . fi-FI.
  8. Web site: TPS - Ässät 4-1 . assat.com . 28 November 2020 . 14 December 2020 . fi-FI.