Kasperi Kapanen opens up about his struggles off the ice

PUBLICATION

Sam Hutch
July 16, 2024 (8:18 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Kasperi Kapanen was once a highly touted prospect, but he's never really lived up to the hype, now he's opening up about his struggles off the ice.

Kasperi Kapanen has struggled to be the top prospect he was billed as when he was drafted. Now with the St Louis Blues, he hopes to regain his footing and continue to get better on the ice.

After getting arrested for a DUI in Finland last offseason, Kapanen has finally opened up about the incident and his struggles with alcohol and how that has affected his life now that he has put it behind him, first noting that he didn't even tell his father about his substance struggles according to Hockey Feed and a Finnish News Outlet Ilta Sanomet.

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.

Kapenen says he used drinking as a way to get around all the pressure and anxiety that comes with his high profile life

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.

Hopefully with his newfound openness and with the backing of family and friends as well as his new deal with the Blues for next season, he'll be able to go into next season at a whole different level.

POLL
Do you think Kasperi Kapanen will have a breakout season for the St Louis Blues?
Yes	13	17.3 %
No	45	60 %
Hopefully that's what happens	17	22.7 %
List of polls