Sami Kapanen

Sami Kapanen was drafted by the Hartford Whalers during the sixth round of the National Hockey League entry draft in 1995 and joined the team at training camp. Unfortunately, he was injured during training and did not play his first NHL game until December of 1995. Less than a month later, in January of 1996, Kapanen scored his first NHL goal.

Kapanen moved along with the Whalers, who became the Carolina Hurricanes in 1997. The 2001-2002 season was a record year for Kapanen and his team: Kapanen reached a career high of 69 points and the Hurricanes won the Eastern Conference to make their first appearance in the Stanley Cup final.

In February of 2003, Kapanen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. In 2004, he received the Yanick Dupre Memorial award, which is bestowed upon the "Flyer who best illustrates character, dignity and respect for the sport both on and off the ice." In 2007 Kapanen was the first-ever recipient of the Gene Hart Memorial Award, given to the "Flyer who has the best rapport with the fans" as voted by the Philadelphia Flyers Fan Club Board of Directors.

• Mahalo's Guide to the Philadelphia Flyers
  • Internet Hockey Database: Career Stats
  • Height: 5-10
  • Weight: 180
  • Rookie Year: 1995-1996