Kevin Lankinen Bio
Kevin Lankinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 28 April 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, Lankinen has built his career through a steady rise in the Finnish Liiga, an entry-level deal in North America, and dependable NHL stints with the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators before joining the Canucks in 2024. Standing 188 cm tall and weighing 84 kg, he has earned a reputation as a composed, technically sound netminder whose performances have translated into team success at both the club and international levels.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Lankinen was born on 28 April 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, the capital city that has produced a long line of Finnish hockey talent. Growing up in a country where ice hockey functions almost as a national pastime, Lankinen was exposed to the sport at a young age and developed his goaltending craft through local youth programs. The Finnish goaltending tradition, known for emphasizing positioning, patience, and technical fundamentals, helped shape his early approach to the position.
As he progressed through junior hockey in the Helsinki area, Lankinen attracted attention for his size, calmness under pressure, and willingness to track the puck through traffic. These formative years in Finnish junior systems laid the groundwork for his transition to professional hockey, and by the time he reached his late teens, he was regarded as a promising prospect within the Helsinki hockey community.
Path to Professional Hockey
Lankinen began his senior career in 2014 with HIFK of the Liiga, signing a three-year contract that launched his professional trajectory. During the 2015 Liiga playoffs, he took part in the longest game in Liiga history, lasting 134 minutes and 14 seconds, with HIFK winning 2–1 and advancing to the quarterfinals. That experience, paired with a New York Islanders development camp in the summer of 2015, gave him early exposure to North American hockey expectations.
In the 2015–16 season, Lankinen shared goaltending duties with Ville Husso at HIFK, appearing in 22 regular-season games and three playoff contests as his team captured a silver medal. The 2016–17 campaign proved a breakthrough, as injuries to veteran Niklas Bäckström pushed Lankinen into a primary role. He responded with 42 appearances and seven shutouts, the most in the league that season, confirming his status as a top Finnish goaltending prospect.
Kevin Lankinen Career
Liiga Years with HIFK (2014–2018)
Across four seasons with HIFK, Lankinen developed into one of the Liiga’s most reliable goaltenders, supplemented by brief spells with Jokerit, KooKoo, and Kiekko-Vantaa of the Mestis. The 2015–16 season brought a silver medal for HIFK, while the 2016–17 season established Lankinen as a primary starter with a league-leading seven shutouts.
His 2017–18 campaign was interrupted by injury, but he returned to post a 1.33 goals against average, the lowest in the league that season, along with a 94.58 save percentage and four shutouts in 15 regular-season games. He then guided HIFK through 13 playoff appearances with a 93.56 save percentage, helping the club win bronze medals and earning nomination consideration for the Urpo Ylönen trophy as the league’s best goaltender.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2018–2022)
On 21 May 2018, Lankinen signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, beginning his North American professional career with the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. In 2019–20, he registered 21 appearances and eight wins, and was the IceHogs’ lone representative at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game, before shoulder surgery in March 2020 ended his season.
Lankinen made his NHL debut on 19 January 2021, then secured his first NHL win three days later against the Detroit Red Wings and posted his first NHL shutout on 17 February 2021, again versus Detroit. He finished 2020–21 with a 17–14–5 record. In 2021–22, he began the year as Marc-André Fleury’s backup before assuming the starter role following Fleury’s trade to the Minnesota Wild, ending the campaign with an 8–15–6 record and a 3.50 goals against average.
Nashville Predators Era (2022–2024)
Signed by the Nashville Predators on 14 July 2022 to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, Lankinen arrived to back up Juuse Saros. On 3 March 2023, the Predators extended him with a one-year, $2 million deal. Across his two Nashville seasons, Lankinen compiled a 20–14–1 record with a .912 save percentage, providing stability in a tandem role.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2024–Present)
On 21 September 2024, Lankinen agreed to a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He made an immediate impact, highlighted on 1 December 2024 by a 5–4 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings that made him the first goaltender in NHL history to win 10 consecutive road games to begin a season. On 21 February 2025, the Canucks rewarded his play with a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension.
Playing Style and Strengths
Lankinen is recognized for his technical soundness, calm net presence, and efficient movement, traits that align with the Finnish goaltending school. His patience in handling pucks behind the net and ability to recover across the crease have translated well against NHL shooters, and his career save percentages underscore his consistency in high-volume assignments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lankinen’s defining moments are his participation in the longest game in Liiga history in 2015, his NHL debut in January 2021, his record-setting 10 consecutive road wins to open a season with the Canucks in December 2024, and his five-year contract extension in February 2025. Internationally, he backstopped Finland to gold at the 2019 World Championship with a 94.20 save percentage and a 1.50 goals against average.
Kevin Lankinen Family
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Lankinen is known as an avid reader who lists Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari and The Dirt, the autobiography of Mötley Crüe, among his favorite books. He has partnered with Finnish publisher WSOY to run a Facebook-based book club, reflecting his interest in sharing literature with fans and readers across Finland.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked a new chapter for Lankinen, who began the year on a one-year deal before signing a five-year, $22.5 million extension on 21 February. His early-season surge, including 10 consecutive road wins, established him as a central figure in the Canucks’ goaltending tandem and provided the foundation for his long-term commitment to the club.
Across the season, Lankinen’s workload and consistency have allowed Vancouver to remain competitive in tight games, with his positioning and rebound control helping stabilize the defensive structure. As the campaign progresses, he is expected to share duties while serving as a stabilizing veteran presence, and his contract extension signals the organization’s confidence in his continued contribution.