Kasper Kotkansalo

Last updated

Kasper Kotkansalo
Born (1998-11-16) 16 November 1998 (age 25)
Espoo, Finland
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
Liiga team
Former teams		 Kiekko-Espoo
Ässät
HIFK
NHL draft 71st overall, 2017
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 2020–present

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.

Contents

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

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2015–16 Espoo Blues Jr. A 48415193660334
2016–17 Sioux Falls Stampede USHL 471111243—————
2017–18 Boston University HE 4024622—————
2018–19 Boston UniversityHE380111116—————
2019–20 Boston UniversityHE3408823—————
2020–21 Ässät Liiga 58391256—————
2021–22 HIFK Liiga52412161070000
2022–23 HIFKLiiga241676—————
2023–24 HIFKLiiga23235870000
Liiga totals15710304080140000

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2015 Finland IH18 4th50004
2016 Finland U18 Gold medal icon.svg60440
2018 Finland WJC 6th50000
Junior totals160444

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References

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