Michael Kapla

Michael Steven Kapla[1] (born September 19, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for Rögle BK in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).

Michael Kapla
Kapla at UMass Lowell
Born (1994-09-19) September 19, 1994
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Left
SHL team
Former teams		 Rögle BK
New Jersey Devils
Skellefteå AIK
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Playing career

After graduating from Eau Claire Memorial High School and going undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft, Kapla played collegiate hockey with University of Massachusetts Lowell of the Hockey East.[1] In his freshman season, Kapla played in 41 games and was named to the 2014 Hockey East All-Rookie Team.[1]

Prior to his junior year, Kapla was named team captain. As the River Hawks played in the Three Rivers Classic, Kapla was named to the All-Tournament Team although UMass Lowell lost to Robert Morris 5–3 in the final game. He collected two assists in the opening round of the tournament.[2]

At the conclusion his senior year, and second as captain, with the River Hawks in the 2016–17 season, Kapla was signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on March 28, 2017.[3] Kapla ended his collegiate career playing in 161 consecutive games, the most in UMass Lowell program history.[4][5] Kapla immediately embarked on his professional career, burning one of his contract years in joining the Devils to play out the remainder of the 2016–17 season. He made his NHL debut, paired alongside veteran Ben Lovejoy, in a 2–1 defeat to the New York Islanders on March 31, 2017.[6][7]

As a restricted free agent at the end of the 2017–18 season, he accepted a one year, two way qualifying offer from the Devils.[8]

In the following 2018–19 season, Kapla was assigned to continue in the AHL with the Binghamton Devils. He appeared in 45 games for 16 points with Binghamton before on January 30, 2019, the Devils traded Kapla to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Ryan Murphy.[9]

On June 25, 2019, Kapla was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild, releasing him to free agency.[10] Kapla continued his professional career in the AHL, securing a one-year contract with the Toronto Marlies on July 18, 2019.[11] Kapla was re-assigned to begin the 2019–20 season in the ECHL with secondary affiliate the Newfoundland Growlers. He was later recalled to the Marlies, posting 6 points through 14 games, before the season was cancelled die to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 15, 2020, Kapla as a free agent opted to pursue a European career, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish second division club, Västerviks IK of the Allsvenskan.[12]

Personal life

Kapla is one of three children born to Mary and Steven Kapla in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.[13]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Memorial High USHS 8 2 8 10 0 — — — — —
2010–11 Memorial High USHS 21 4 34 38 2 — — — — —
2011–12 Team Wisconsin USHS 21 4 3 7 8 1 0 0 0 2
2011–12 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2012–13 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 51 9 16 25 25 — — — — —
2013–14 Umass-Lowell HE 41 3 14 17 22 — — — — —
2014–15 UMass-Lowell HE 30 7 18 25 28 — — — — —
2015–16 UMass-Lowell HE 40 4 16 20 18 — — — — —
2016–17 UMass-Lowell HE 41 3 27 30 34 — — — — —
2016–17 New Jersey Devils NHL 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2017–18 Binghamton Devils AHL 63 5 16 21 22 — — — — —
2018–19 Binghamton Devils AHL 45 1 15 16 10 — — — — —
2018–19 Iowa Wild AHL 21 1 7 8 4 — — — — —
2019–20 Newfoundland Growlers ECHL 35 1 20 21 20 — — — — —
2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 14 1 5 6 6 — — — — —
2020–21 Västerviks IK Allsv 51 8 23 31 16 10 0 7 7 6
2021–22 Skellefteå AIK SHL 52 1 18 19 20 6 1 0 1 2
NHL totals 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
SHL totals 52 1 18 19 20 6 1 0 1 2

Awards and honors
Award Year
College
HE All-Rookie Team 2014
HE Second All-Star Team 2017
HE All-Tournament Team 2017

References
  1. "MICHAEL KAPLA". goriverhawks.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  2. "Robert Morris Upsets No. 8 UMass-Lowell, Captures Three Rivers Classic Title". NHL.com. December 29, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  3. "Devils Sign Michael Kapla to Entry-Level Deal". NHL.com. March 28, 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  4. Rice, Dan (May 14, 2017). "Q&A with the Devils' Michael Kapla". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  5. "UMass-Lowell sunk in overtime in Northeast Regional final". The Boston Herald. March 27, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2019. said Lowell senior captain Michael Kapla, who played in his school record 161st consecutive game.
  6. Gross, Andrew (April 1, 2017). "Islanders 2, Devils 1: Kapla shows poise in NHL debut". NorthJersey.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
  7. Ryan, Chris (March 31, 2017). "What did Devils think of Michael Kapla's NHL debut?". NJ.com. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  8. Curto, Frank (June 16, 2018). "New Jersey Devils D Michael Kapla accepts qualifying offer". elitesportsny.com. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  9. "Wild acquires defenseman Michael Kapla from New Jersey". Minnesota Wild. January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  10. "Wild announces qualifying offers". Minnesota Wild. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  11. "Marlies sign Ryan Johnston and Michael Kapla". Toronto Marlies. July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  12. "Welcome to Vasteriks Michael Kapla" (in Swedish). Västerviks IK. May 15, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  13. "MICHAEL KAPLA". goriverhawks.com. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
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