Kapanen opens up on his struggles with drinking

St. Louis Blues forward Kasperi Kapanen has opened up to Finnish publication Ilta Sanomet about his struggles with alcoholism.

The 27 year old was arrested last offseason and charged with drunk driving in his native Finland. He was ultimately found guilty and ordered to pay stiff penalties. Now, with his debt paid, Kapanen is opening up on his struggles.

"I didn't even dare to tell my father, because I knew he would be really disappointed," Kapanen said. "I think I told my mother and of course my girlfriend knew about it. I only told the others when the matter came out in September. It was such a big shame for me."

Kapanen's father, of course, is former long-time NHL forward Sami Kapanen.

"At some point, there was more drinking that I didn't do it to celebrate, but because there was so much pressure, annoyance or anxiety during the season," Kapanen shares. "I tried to use alcohol to almost mask those feelings."

Now, much healthier and with support around him Kapanen is moving forward with his life. He recently signed a one year, $1 million deal with the Blues and he hopes to turn his career back around this season in a pivotal campaign for the Blues.

Read below for our report on Kapanen when the arrest and sentencing took place last offseason.

St. Louis Blues forward Kasperi Kapanen has been found guilty of aggravated drunk driving from a charge this past August and has been ordered to pay $117,000 in fines.

According to Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat (IS), Kapanen drove his vehicle off the road as he was driving home from the airport. He had a passenger with him and he failed officers' sobriety tests.

More from IS (Translated from Finnish):

Kapanen, 27, fell off the wheel in Siilinjärvi on August 1, 2023. Kapanen had left the airport.

Kapanen had consumed alcohol in such a way that after driving he had 0.56 milligrams of alcohol per liter of exhaled air. This corresponds to a blood alcohol concentration of 1.25 per thousand.

The limit for aggravated drunk driving is 1.2 alcohol.

Kapanen had a passenger on board at the time of the act.

He had already confessed to the act during the preliminary investigation.

On Thursday, Kapanen was not present at the district court proceedings in person or remotely, because his presence had not been required.

Kapanen's lawyer, Anu Kolari, appealed to the publicity the case would receive during the trial.

She stated that the suspended prison sentence demanded by the prosecutor could also affect Kapanen's future contract negotiations and work permit.

Prosecutors were originally seeking a 45 day prison term for Kapanen's sentencing. 

Read below for our earlier report on this story, when news first. broke this past offseason.

According to a report from The Hockey News, St. Louis Blues forward, formerly with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins, has been charged in his native Finland with aggravated drunk driving.

More from Nick Barden of The Hockey News:

According to Finnish national broadcaster Yle, former Maple Leafs forward Kasperi Kapanen is suspected of aggravated drunk driving.

"The case has been brought up in the district court of Pohjois-Savo on August 23," the story reads via Google Translate, "and the case is scheduled to be heard in the district court in February 2024."

- Nick Barden

Kasperi played just 23 games with the Blues last season, putting up eight goals and 14 points. He's signed at a $3.2 million cap hit for the 2023-24 season.