KalPa will retire Sami Kapanen’s number 24 prior to their home game against HIFK on October 24. Thus Sami Kapanen will be the third KalPa player to have his jersey retired: first there was forward Jouni Rinne #27 in the 90’s and then goalie Pasi Kuivalainen #1 in 2005.

KalPa will pay tribute to Sami Kapanen during the evening: first there will be an All Stars game starting at 4.30 pm and then the jersey retirement ceremony, and finally the actual Liiga game KalPa-HIFK at 6.30 pm.

Sami Kapanen has chosen his ”24 All Stars team” among the old hockey mates in KalPa, Team Finland, Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers and there will be players such as Jarmo Kekäläinen, Jere Lehtinen and Antero Niittymäki. The opponent team consists of team HIFK players, who played for HIFK in 1994-1995 and there are players like Christian Ruuttu, Esa Tikkanen and Sami’s brother Kimmo Kapanen. Also Sami’s uncle Jari Kapanen will play for team HIFK, whereas Sami’s father Hannu Kapanen will be the coach for 24 All Stars.

- Sami Kapanen scored his first SM-liiga goal on 24th, and his son Kasperi Kapanen scored in Sami’s final game when the time was 24.24. Number 24 has been Sami Kapanen’s number always when playing for KalPa, NHL or Team Finland and he has had the same number throughout his hockey career. We really wanted to cherish and pay tribute to Sami and his number 24 and therefore the game is played also on 24th of October, tells Pasi Kuivalainen, the sales director of KalPa Hockey.

- Sami Kapanen is the biggest hockey icon and a true hero in Kuopio. His unbelievable career and dedication for KalPa means a world to us. So this night will be a special tribute to him, Kuivalainen continues.

In addition to remarkable NHL career Sami Kapanen played 10 seasons in Finnish SM-liiga and altogether 445 games (133+187=320). He won one silver medal and one bronze medal in SM-liiga. He was also in SM-liiga All Stars line up three times and won Raimo Kilpiö Trophy (Finnish version of Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, sportsmanship of the season) and President’s Trophy. Sami Kapanen was KalPa captain during four seasons and he is the all time leader in KalPa’s goals and points.

- I'm looking forward to this upcoming event on October 24 in Kuopio. Together with family, friends and teammates I get one more opportunity to live through my career in front of great fans of KalPa. I know it's going to be an emotional night for myself and my family and something we'll cherish for the rest of our lives, says Sami Kapanen.



Photos: Tatu Ahonen