Kapanen, 48 (6/14/1973), joins the Flyers hockey operations staff after spending several seasons with KalPa in the Finnish League in a number of roles which include player, assistant coach, head coach, general manager and owner. He also spent one season with HC Lugano in Switzerland as head coach in 2019-20.
He played five seasons with the Flyers from 2003 through the 2007-08 season, when he retired from his playing career. In parts of five seasons, Kapanen appeared in 311 regular season games and recorded 44 goals and 66 assists for 110 points. He added 19 points (9g-10a) in 53 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Flyers, which included two trips to the Eastern Conference Final in 2004 and 2008.
Kapanen was acquired by the Flyers, along with Ryan Bast, in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 7, 2003 in exchange for Pavel Brendl and Bruno St. Jacques.
In 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (1995-96 through 2007-08) with the Hartford Whalers (1995-96 to 1996-97), Hurricanes (1997-98 to 2002-03) and the Flyers, Kapanen recorded 189 goals and 269 assists for 458 points and 175 penalty minutes in 831 regular season games. He added 35 points (13g-22a) and 22 penalty minutes in 87 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, which included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2002 with the Hurricanes.
A native of Vantaa, Finland, Kapanen has represented Finland on several occasions including three Olympics (1994, 1998 and 2002) and winning a bronze medal in 1994 & 1998. He has also won a gold medal at the IIHF World Championships in 1995 and three silver medals in 1994, 1998 and 2001.
Kapanen was originally drafted by Hartford in the fourth round (87th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, and has appeared in two NHL All-Star Games (2000 and 2002).
Shero, 23 (6/5/1998), joins the Flyers after spending the last four seasons playing at Connecticut College in NCAA Division III where he recorded 14 points (6g-8a) in 63 games. He will primarily be responsible for scouting high school, junior and NCAA players in the New England region. A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Shero is also the grandson of Flyers and Hockey Hall of Fame coach, Fred Shero.
