Kevin Lankinen Bio
Kevin Lankinen, born on 28 April 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) tall and weighing around 190 lb (86 kg), he plays the goaltender position and catches with his left hand. Lankinen has built his career across Finnish and North American leagues, representing teams such as HIFK, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Nashville Predators before joining the Canucks.
Throughout his career, Lankinen has earned recognition for his strong technical skills and calm presence in the net. He is also a decorated international player, having won gold with Finland at the 2019 IIHF World Championship and a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. His combination of experience, athleticism, and consistency has established him as one of Finland’s most respected modern goaltenders.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Lankinen was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, where he grew up surrounded by a strong hockey culture that has long shaped the country’s sporting identity. Finland’s deep-rooted passion for ice hockey provided Lankinen with early exposure to the sport, and he began developing his goaltending skills at a young age through local youth programs. His Finnish upbringing played a significant role in shaping his disciplined and composed approach to the game.
Coming from Helsinki, Lankinen was naturally drawn to HIFK, one of the most historic hockey clubs in Finland, which became the foundation of his professional development. The competitive environment in Finnish junior hockey helped him refine the technical and mental aspects of goaltending that would later define his professional career. His progression through Finland’s structured hockey system laid the groundwork for his eventual transition to North American professional hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
Lankinen began his senior professional career with HIFK of the Liiga in 2014, signing a three-year contract with the club. In the 2015 Liiga playoffs, he participated in the longest game in Liiga history, lasting 134 minutes and 14 seconds, which HIFK won 2–1 to advance to the quarterfinals. That same year, he attended the New York Islanders development camp, gaining valuable exposure to the North American style of play.
During the 2015–16 season, Lankinen played 22 regular-season games alongside Ville Husso and added three playoff appearances as HIFK captured a silver medal. The following 2016–17 campaign marked his emergence as a starter, when injuries to veteran Niklas Bäckström gave Lankinen the opportunity to take on a larger role. He appeared in 42 games and recorded seven shutouts, the most in the entire Liiga that season, establishing himself as one of the top young goaltenders in Finland.
Kevin Lankinen Career
Early Career (2014–2018)
Lankinen’s early professional years were spent primarily with HIFK, where he developed into one of the Liiga’s most promising goaltenders. After a 2017–18 season disrupted by injury, he mounted an impressive comeback, appearing in 15 regular-season games with a 94.58 save percentage and a league-best 1.33 goals-against average, while recording four shutouts. In the playoffs, he served as HIFK’s primary goaltender across 13 games with a 93.56 save percentage, helping the club earn a bronze medal. His performances that season put him in contention for the Urpo Ylönen trophy as the Liiga’s top goaltender, though the award ultimately went to Veini Vehviläinen.
NHL Breakthrough with the Chicago Blackhawks (2018–2022)
On 21 May 2018, Lankinen signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He spent his initial seasons with the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, where he made 21 appearances during the 2019–20 season, earning eight wins and representing the team at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game. A shoulder surgery in March 2020 forced him to miss the remainder of that season.
Lankinen made his NHL debut on 19 January 2021, a 5–4 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers, before earning his first NHL victory three days later in a 4–1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. He recorded his first NHL shutout on 17 February 2021, helping the Blackhawks defeat the Red Wings 2–0, and finished the 2020–21 season with a 17–14–5 record. The following 2021–22 season saw him initially serve as the backup to Marc-André Fleury before taking over as the starter mid-season, ultimately posting an 8–15–6 record with a 3.50 goals-against average.
Nashville Predators (2022–2024)
After becoming a free agent, Lankinen signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Nashville Predators on 14 July 2022, where he was brought in to back up Juuse Saros. He performed reliably in a backup role, and on 3 March 2023, the Predators rewarded him with a one-year, $2 million contract extension. Across his two seasons in Nashville, Lankinen posted a 20–14–1 record with a .912 save percentage, solidifying his reputation as a dependable NHL goaltender.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2024–Present)
On 21 September 2024, Lankinen agreed to a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He quickly made an impact, and on 1 December 2024, he recorded a 5–4 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to win 10 consecutive road games to begin a season. On 21 February 2025, the Canucks signed Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension, reflecting his value to the franchise. He has since become known as one of the league’s top shootout performers, holding the highest career shootout save percentage in NHL history.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lankinen is widely recognized for his calm composure, technical precision, and outstanding shootout performance. His left-catching style, quick lateral movement, and ability to read the play allow him to excel in high-pressure situations. His strong partnership with the Canucks’ coaching staff and his disciplined preparation continue to make him a reliable presence in goal.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Lankinen’s most significant achievements are his role in Finland’s gold medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he posted a 94.20 save percentage and a 1.50 goals-against average, and his bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He also holds the historic distinction of being the first NHL goaltender to win 10 consecutive road games to start a season, a record set in December 2024 with the Vancouver Canucks.
Kevin Lankinen Career Wins
Kevin Lankinen has compiled a strong record of victories across multiple professional leagues, beginning with his standout seasons in Finland’s Liiga and continuing through his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, and Vancouver Canucks. His wins reflect steady growth from a promising Finnish prospect into one of the NHL’s most consistent goaltenders.
Liiga Highlights
During his time with HIFK, Lankinen played a key role in the team’s silver medal finish in 2016 and bronze medal finish in 2018. He recorded seven shutouts in the 2016–17 season, the highest in the Liiga, and added four more shutouts during the 2017–18 regular season. His playoff performances helped HIFK advance deep into the postseason in multiple years, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer in Finnish hockey.
Other Wins and Performances
Lankinen also gained experience with Jokerit, KooKoo, and Kiekko-Vantaa during brief stints in Finnish professional hockey. In North America, he was a lone representative of the Rockford IceHogs at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game, recognizing his strong play during the 2019–20 AHL season. Across his NHL career, he has produced consistent winning performances for the Blackhawks, Predators, and Canucks.
Kevin Lankinen Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kevin Lankinen was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland, where he developed his passion for ice hockey. Specific details about his parents and family background are not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Lankinen is known for his intellectual curiosity. He enjoys reading and has named Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari as his favorite book, along with The Dirt, the autobiography of Mötley Crüe. He has also opened a Facebook-based book club in collaboration with Finnish publisher WSOY, reflecting his interest in sharing literature with a wider audience.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a defining chapter in Kevin Lankinen’s NHL career. Joining the Vancouver Canucks on a one-year deal in September 2024, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most reliable goaltenders. His historic 10-game road winning streak to open the season set a new NHL record and earned him widespread recognition across the hockey world.
Following his strong start, the Canucks rewarded Lankinen with a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension in February 2025, signaling their confidence in his long-term role with the franchise. His exceptional shootout statistics, including the highest career shootout save percentage in NHL history, have made him a key asset in tight games. Lankinen’s partnership with the team’s coaching staff and his calm, consistent play have positioned the Canucks as a stronger contender heading into the later stages of the season.
