Michael Kapla

Michael Steven Kapla (born September 19, 1994) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for HC Fribourg-Gottéron in the National League (NL).

Playing career After graduating from Eau Claire Memorial High School and going undrafted in the NHL entry draft, Kapla played collegiate hockey with University of Massachusetts Lowell of the Hockey East.

At the conclusion his senior year, and second as captain, with the River Hawks in the 2016–17 season, Kapla was signed to a two-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on March 28, 2017. Kapla ended his collegiate career playing in 161 consecutive games, the most in UMass Lowell program history. Kapla immediately embarked on his professional career, burning one of his contract years in joining the Devils to play out the remainder of the 2016–17 season. He made his NHL debut, paired alongside veteran Ben Lovejoy, in a 2–1 defeat to the New York Islanders on March 31, 2017.

As a restricted free agent at the end of the 2017–18 season, he accepted a one year, two way qualifying offer from the Devils.

In the following 2018–19 season, Kapla was assigned to continue in the AHL with the Binghamton Devils. He appeared in 45 games for 16 points with Binghamton before on January 30, 2019, the Devils traded Kapla to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Ryan Murphy.

On June 25, 2019, Kapla was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Wild, releasing him to free agency. Kapla continued his professional career in the AHL, securing a one-year contract with the Toronto Marlies on July 18, 2019. Kapla was re-assigned to begin the 2019–20 season in the ECHL with secondary affiliate the Newfoundland Growlers. He was later recalled to the Marlies, posting 6 points through 14 games, before the season was cancelled die to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 15, 2020, Kapla as a free agent opted to pursue a European career, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish second division club, Västerviks IK of the Allsvenskan.

After four seasons in the Swedish Hockey League with Skellefteå AIK and Rögle BK, Kapla left as a free agent to sign a one-year contract with Swiss club, HC Fribourg-Gottéron of the NL, on May 1, 2025.

Personal life Kapla is one of three children born to Mary and Steven Kapla in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He is married to Grace Kapla (née Jacoby) and they share one son.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2009–10 Memorial High USHS 8 2 8 10 0 — — — — — 2010–11 Memorial High USHS 21 4 34 38 2 — — — — — 2011–12 Team Wisconsin USHS 21 4 3 7 8 1 0 0 0 2 2011–12 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2012–13 Sioux City Musketeers USHL 51 9 16 25 25 — — — — — 2013–14 Umass-Lowell HE 41 3 14 17 22 — — — — — 2014–15 UMass-Lowell HE 30 7 18 25 28 — — — — — 2015–16 UMass-Lowell HE 40 4 16 20 18 — — — — — 2016–17 UMass-Lowell HE 41 3 27 30 34 — — — — — 2016–17 New Jersey Devils NHL 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2017–18 Binghamton Devils AHL 63 5 16 21 22 — — — — — 2018–19 Binghamton Devils AHL 45 1 15 16 10 — — — — — 2018–19 Iowa Wild AHL 21 1 7 8 4 — — — — — 2019–20 Newfoundland Growlers ECHL 35 1 20 21 20 — — — — — 2019–20 Toronto Marlies AHL 14 1 5 6 6 — — — — — 2020–21 Västerviks IK Allsv 51 8 23 31 16 10 0 7 7 6 2021–22 Skellefteå AIK SHL 52 1 18 19 20 6 1 0 1 2 2022–23 Rögle BK SHL 44 7 21 28 12 9 0 4 4 6 2023–24 Rögle BK SHL 50 7 21 28 14 15 1 5 6 4 2024–25 Rögle BK SHL 35 5 15 20 10 2 0 1 1 0 NHL totals 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — — SHL totals 181 20 75 95 56 32 2 10 12 12

Awards and honors Award Year College HE All-Rookie Team 2014 HE Second All-Star Team 2017 HE All-Tournament Team 2017