Jump to content

Kasper Kotkansalo

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Playing career

[edit]

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

[edit]
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2015–16 Espoo Blues Jr. A 48 4 15 19 36 6 0 3 3 4
2016–17 Sioux Falls Stampede USHL 47 1 11 12 43 — — — — —
2017–18 Boston University HE 40 2 4 6 22 — — — — —
2018–19 Boston University HE 38 0 11 11 16 — — — — —
2019–20 Boston University HE 34 0 8 8 23 — — — — —
2020–21 Ässät Liiga 58 3 9 12 56 — — — — —
2021–22 HIFK Liiga 52 4 12 16 10 7 0 0 0 0
2022–23 HIFK Liiga 24 1 6 7 6 — — — — —
2023–24 HIFK Liiga 23 2 3 5 8 7 0 0 0 0
Liiga totals 157 10 30 40 80 14 0 0 0 0

International

[edit]
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2015 Finland IH18 4th 5 0 0 0 4
2016 Finland U18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 0 4 4 0
2018 Finland WJC 6th 5 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 16 0 4 4 4

References

[edit]
  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.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kasper_Kotkansalo&oldid=1256329975"