Kevin Lankinen Bio
Kevin Lankinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 28 April 1995 in Helsinki, Finland, Lankinen has built a reputation as one of the most reliable backup goaltenders in professional hockey. After an impressive career in Finland’s top Liiga circuit, he transitioned to North American hockey and has since become known for his exceptional shootout performance and consistent save percentages across multiple NHL teams.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Lankinen grew up in Helsinki, Finland, where he developed his passion for ice hockey at a young age. As a left-catching goaltender, Lankinen honed his skills in Finland’s renowned hockey development system. His early exposure to competitive hockey in Helsinki laid the foundation for his future career in professional athletics.
Lankinen’s path through Finnish youth hockey prepared him for the challenges of professional competition. His dedication to the craft of goaltending became evident as he progressed through the junior ranks, eventually earning opportunities with top-tier Finnish teams.
Path to Professional Hockey
Before entering professional hockey, Lankinen participated in the New York Islanders development camp in the summer of 2015, gaining valuable experience with NHL scouts and development coaches. This exposure to North American hockey training methods would later prove beneficial when he made the transition to the NHL.
His journey through the Finnish hockey system included playing for several teams in Finland’s lower divisions, including Kiekko-Vantaa of the Mestis league, which helped him develop the skills and mental fortitude necessary for professional competition at the highest levels.
Kevin Lankinen Career
HIFK Era (2014-2018)
Lankinen began his professional career with HIFK of the Liiga in 2014, signing a three-year contract with the Helsinki-based club. During the 2015 playoffs, he participated in the longest game in Liiga history, lasting 134 minutes and 14 seconds, as his team won 2-1 and advanced to the quarterfinals in an epic overtime battle.
During the 2016-17 season, Lankinen emerged as the primary goaltender, playing 42 games with seven shutouts, the most in the league that season. Despite his success, he narrowly missed winning the Urpo Ylönen trophy, awarded to the best goaltender, finishing behind Veini Vehviläinen from Oulun Kärpät.
Chicago Blackhawks (2018-2022)
On 21 May 2018, Lankinen signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, marking his entry into the NHL. He spent his first seasons primarily with the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. During the 2019-20 season, he earned eight wins in 21 appearances and represented the IceHogs at the 2020 AHL All-Star Game before undergoing shoulder surgery that ended his season prematurely.
Lankinen made his NHL debut on 19 January 2021, suffering an overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. Just three days later, on 22 January 2021, he earned his first NHL victory in a 4-1 win against the Detroit Red Wings. His first NHL shutout came on 17 February 2021, in a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. He finished the 2020-21 season with a 17-14-5 record in his rookie campaign.
During the 2021-22 season, Lankinen served as backup to future Hall of Famer Marc-André Fleury. After Fleury was traded to the Minnesota Wild, Lankinen became the starter, leading the team to improved results following the trade. He ended the season with an 8-15-6 record.
Nashville Predators (2022-2024)
As a free agent in July 2022, Lankinen signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Nashville Predators, where he served as backup to starting goaltender Juuse Saros. On 3 March 2023, the Predators rewarded his strong performance with a one-year contract extension worth $2 million. Across his two seasons in Nashville, Lankinen posted a 20-14-1 record with a .912 save percentage, demonstrating his reliability as a number-one goaltender when called upon.
Vancouver Canucks (2024-Present)
On 21 September 2024, Lankinen agreed to a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Vancouver Canucks. His tenure with the Canucks began with a historic achievement on 1 December 2024, when 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. This remarkable accomplishment solidified his reputation as an exceptional road performer.
On 21 February 2025, Lankinen signed a five-year, $22.5 million contract extension worth $22,500,000, securing his future with the Canucks through the 2029-30 season. This contract extension reflects the organization’s confidence in his abilities and his importance to the team’s competitive aspirations.
Driving Style and Strengths
Lankinen is known for his composure and consistency between the pipes. He has developed a particular reputation for his exceptional shootout performance, possessing the highest career shootout save percentage in NHL history. His technical soundness, quick reflexes, and ability to track pucks through traffic make him a reliable last line of defense. His success with multiple NHL organizations demonstrates his adaptability to different team systems and playing styles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Lankinen has accumulated several notable achievements. His record-setting start to the 2024-25 season with the Vancouver Canucks stands as a unique NHL record. He has also demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes international competitions, making him a valuable asset for any team seeking goaltending stability.
Kevin Lankinen Career Wins
Across his professional career spanning Liiga and the NHL, Lankinen has accumulated significant wins at both the individual and team levels. His career statistics reflect his consistency and ability to deliver strong performances when given opportunities to play.
NHL Highlights
At the NHL level, Lankinen has compiled a career record that includes wins with three different organizations. His most notable single-season performance came during the 2020-21 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he earned 17 victories. His career totals include a combined record spanning his time with Chicago, Nashville, and Vancouver, with his most recent success coming with the Canucks where he achieved his historic 10-game road winning streak to begin the 2024-25 season.
International Success
Lankinen represented Finland at the 2019 World Championship, where he played every playoff game and helped guide his nation to a gold medal. Throughout the tournament, he recorded a save percentage of 94.20 percent and a goals against average of 1.50, ranking second in the tournament in both categories. He also represented Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning a bronze medal.
Kevin Lankinen Family
Family Background
Details about Kevin Lankinen’s family background are not extensively documented in public sources. As a professional athlete from Finland, he has maintained a relatively private personal life while establishing himself as a notable figure in international hockey.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Lankinen has revealed interests beyond the rink. He enjoys reading and has cited Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari as his favorite book. He has also shown appreciation for The Dirt, an autobiography of Mötley Crüe. Lankinen has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by opening a Facebook-based book club in partnership with Finnish publisher WSOY, sharing his passion for literature with fans and fellow readers.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NHL season has seen Kevin Lankinen establish himself as a cornerstone of the Vancouver Canucks’ goaltending tandem. His mid-season contract extension to a five-year, $22.5 million deal underscores the organization’s belief in his long-term value to the team. Playing behind a competitive Canucks roster, Lankinen has continued his strong form from his historic start to the season.
His relationship with the Canucks coaching staff and his ability to perform in high-pressure situations have made him an integral part of Vancouver’s playoff aspirations. The extension provides salary cap certainty for both player and team while demonstrating Lankinen’s commitment to contributing to the Canucks’ success for seasons to come.
With his proven track record of consistency, exceptional shootout abilities, and the security of a long-term contract, Lankinen enters the remainder of the 2025 season positioned as a key contributor to Vancouver’s competitive push. His experience from three NHL organizations and international success with Finland provides invaluable leadership to a Canucks team seeking to climb the Western Conference standings.