Kaapo Kakko Bio
Kaapo Ville Olavi Kakko is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who plays as a right winger for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 13 February 2001 in Turku, Finland, Kakko entered the NHL as one of the most highly regarded European prospects of his generation. Selected second overall by the New York Rangers in the 2019 NHL entry draft, he spent the first five and a half years of his NHL career with that organization before a midseason trade brought him to Seattle in December 2024. Standing 185 centimeters tall and weighing around 98 kilograms, Kakko combines size with skill and is known for his hockey sense, two-way play, and composure on the puck.
Early Life and Background
Kaapo Ville Olavi Kakko was born on 13 February 2001 in Turku, a coastal city in southwestern Finland with a long tradition in the sport of ice hockey. From a young age, Kakko developed his game within the youth system of Turun Palloseura, commonly known as TPS, one of the most respected clubs in Finnish hockey history. The TPS development pathway has produced numerous NHL-caliber players, and Kakko progressed steadily through each age group with the club.
As a teenager, Kakko gained attention for his ability to score in big moments and for a mature style of play that contrasted with his age. He trained with TPS throughout his junior years, learning the tactical side of the Finnish game while continuing to grow physically. By the time he reached his late teens, Kakko was widely viewed as a future top NHL draft pick, with scouts praising his shot, vision, and responsible two-way play.
Path to Hockey
Kakko made his professional debut with TPS of the Finnish Liiga during the 2017–18 season, becoming one of the youngest players to appear in the top Finnish league. He continued to develop with TPS over the following seasons, balancing senior Liiga duties with international junior tournaments for Finland. His performances at the junior level, particularly in major IIHF events, helped establish him as the top-ranked European skater heading into the 2019 NHL entry draft.
In the spring of 2019, Kakko suited up for Finland at the senior level at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he led the team with six goals and helped Finland capture the gold medal. Shortly after, his strong résumé and consistency across leagues made him a clear choice near the top of the draft. On 21 June 2019, the New York Rangers selected him second overall, making him one of the highest-drafted Finnish players in NHL history.
Kaapo Kakko Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Kakko’s early professional years were spent entirely with TPS in the Finnish Liiga, where he quickly proved that he belonged at the senior level. Playing in a top men’s league as a teenager, he logged valuable minutes in all situations and contributed important offensive production for TPS. His ability to handle the speed and physicality of professional hockey in Finland set the stage for his transition to North America.
During this period, Kakko also starred on the international stage, representing Finland at multiple IIHF junior tournaments. In January 2019, he scored the gold medal-winning goal for Finland at the 2019 World Junior Championships, a signature moment in his young career. By the spring of 2019, his combination of club, international, and senior-level success had made him one of the most decorated draft-eligible players in recent memory.
New York Rangers Breakthrough (2019–2024)
On 11 July 2019, shortly after being drafted, Kakko signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the New York Rangers. He made his NHL debut on 3 October 2019, beginning a new chapter in his career at Madison Square Garden. Just nine days later, on 12 October 2019, Kakko scored his first NHL goal at home against the Edmonton Oilers, becoming the eighth player in Rangers franchise history to score at the age of 18 or younger. On the same day, he became the second player born in the 21st century to score an NHL goal, following Ville Heinola of the Winnipeg Jets.
As his entry-level deal expired, Kakko was re-signed by the Rangers as a restricted free agent to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension on 28 July 2022. He continued to grow into a reliable two-way forward for New York, contributing regular-season scoring while taking on defensive responsibilities and playing in key situations. His development with the Rangers helped him mature into a steady top-nine winger.
Following that contract, Kakko signed a one-year, $2.4 million extension with New York on 13 June 2024, keeping him with the Rangers into the early portion of the 2024–25 season. He remained a consistent presence in the lineup as the Rangers opened the new campaign, but the team’s longer-term plans shifted during the season.
Seattle Kraken Era (2024–Present)
During the 2024–25 season, on 18 December 2024, Kakko was traded by the Rangers to the Seattle Kraken in a deal that sent Will Borgen and two 2025 draft picks back to New York. The move gave Kakko a fresh opportunity with a younger Seattle organization that was building around skilled, two-way forwards. He slotted into the Kraken lineup quickly, providing size, scoring touch, and responsible play on the wing.
In the early part of his tenure with Seattle, Kakko showed signs of his offensive upside while adapting to new linemates and systems. On 27 September 2025, however, Kakko was ruled out for approximately six weeks after breaking his hand during a preseason game. The injury forced him to miss the start of the regular season, but the Kraken expected him back in the lineup once he completed his recovery.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the ice, Kakko is recognized as a well-rounded forward who combines a heavy shot with strong hockey sense and reliable defensive play. He is effective along the boards, comfortable in front of the net, and capable of playing both right wing and centre, which gives his coaches valuable lineup flexibility. His calm, mature approach has allowed him to contribute in all situations, from power plays to penalty kills.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Kakko’s standout achievements, he scored the gold medal-winning goal for Finland at the 2019 World Junior Championships and led Finland with six goals at the 2019 senior World Championship, where the Finns again took gold. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest player in ice hockey history to win gold at all three major IIHF world championship tournaments: the World U18 Championships, the World Junior Championships, and the senior World Championship.
Kaapo Kakko Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific public information about Kaapo Kakko’s parents and extended family is not widely documented in available sources. What is clear is that his upbringing in Turku, within the established TPS youth system, provided the structure and competition necessary for his hockey development from a young age.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Kakko has been open about living with Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, conditions he manages as part of his daily routine. He has spoken about the importance of careful nutrition and monitoring his health in order to perform at the highest level. Information regarding a spouse, partners, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Kakko was entering his first full year as a member of the Seattle Kraken after his midseason trade from the New York Rangers in December 2024. Expectations in Seattle centered on him becoming a steady top-six contributor who could produce offense while playing a responsible two-way game. His size, shot, and experience with the Rangers gave the Kraken a forward capable of matching up against top lines in the Pacific Division.
Kakko’s season was interrupted before it truly began when he broke his hand during a preseason game on 27 September 2025, ruling him out for approximately six weeks. The injury forced him to begin the regular season on the sidelines, requiring him to work his way back into game shape once cleared to return. When healthy, the Kraken planned to deploy him in scoring roles and on the power play, where his shot and net-front presence can be most effective.
Looking ahead, the outlook for Kakko in Seattle is tied closely to his health and his ability to build chemistry with his new linemates. If he returns from injury without setbacks and settles into a consistent role, he has the tools to deliver his most productive NHL season yet. The 2025 campaign represents an important opportunity for Kakko to establish himself as a long-term piece of the Kraken’s core.