UMass Lowell Athletics

NHL: Signed a two-year entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on March 28, 2017. Played in his first NHL game on March 31st against the New York Islanders.

2016-17 Season: Kapla was one of six River Hawks to skate in all 41 contests for the River Hawks in his senior campaign, posting a career-high 30 points and 27 assists. Was named to the NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team for his efforts in two games against Cornell and Notre Dame. He was named a Second-Team Hockey East All-Star and earned Hockey East All-Tournament Team honors with three points (1g,2a) in five tournament games. He ranked second on the team among defensive players with 30 points. His 27 assists was tied for the fourth among Div. I defensemen and ranked second in Hockey East among blueliners, while his 30 points was fifth most among Hockey East defensemen. He totaled a point in 21 games this season, which included six multiple-point performances. Recorded a career-high four points (all assists) on Dec. 31st at Dartmouth in the Ledyard Classic Championship Game. Had a season-high five-game point streak from Feb. 3 to Feb. 18, tallying nine points (1g,8a) in that span. Kapla tallied 74 assists in his collegiate career, which broke the school record for a Division I defensemen, which he set on Saturday, March 11th vs. UNH. He broke the all-time school record for games played with his 159th on March 18th vs. BC in the Hockey East Championship Game at the TD Garden, previously held by Christian Sbrocca (158). He never missed a game in his collegiate career, playing in 161 consecutive contests over his four years with the River Hawks. Had a plus or even rating in 33 of 41 games for the River Hawks. UMass Lowell owned a 16-3-2 record when Kapla scored a point this season. Kapla earned the Best Defensive Player Award at the annual team banquet in April.

2015-16 Season: Kapla was one of five River Hawks to play in all 40 games this season, posting 20 points (4g,16a) and a +10 plus/minus rating. He was honored at the annual team banquet with the Best Defensive Player Award. Kapla ranked second on the team roster among defensemen in point scoring and goal scoring. Had a point in 15 games this season and has five multi-point efforts to his credit. Kapla posted five assists in a three-game point streak from Nov. 21st to Nov. 28th. UMass Lowell owned a 11-2-2 record when Kapla scores a point. Had an even/plus rating in 33 of 40 games this season. Had a season-high five shots on goal in the “Friendship Four” Championship Game against Brown on November 28th in Belfast and on February 26th at Boston College. Registered a blocked shot in 21 of 40 conests this season. Five of his 16 assists this season have come on River Hawk game-winning tallies and two of his four goals were game-winners. Posted a season-high five blocked shots on March 12 vs. Boston University in Game 2 of the Hockey East Quarterfinals. Kapla was named to the Three River Classic All-Tournament Team for his efforts on Dec. 29th with three assists in two games at the CONSOL Energy Center.

2014-15 Season: Appeared in all 39 games while tallying 25 points (7g,18a). Added two points on three different occasions. Scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Michigan State. Established career highs for goals (5) assists(18) and points (23).

2013-14 Season: Finished the year with 17 points in 41 games (3g,14a). Notched two assists in games against both Providence and Merrimack. Maintained three game point streaks on two separate occasions. Notched a game winner vs Notre Dame. Named to the 2014 Pro Ambitions Hockey East All-Rookie Team.

Before UMass Lowell: Played two years with the Sioux City Musketeers of the United State Hockey League scoring 26 points including 9 goals in 54 games ... 11 of his 26 points, in the 2012-13 season, came on the power play ... His 9 goals led Sioux City defensemen ...

Personal: Michael Steven Kapla was born on September 19, 1994 in Eau Claire, Wisc. ... He is one of three children of Mary and Steven Kapla of Eau Claire, Wisc. ... He attended Eau Claire Memorial High School ... He was first team All-State as a sophomore and junior and was the team captain as a junior ... He was a member of the Eau Claire High School National Honor Society ... He lists fishing and golf as hobbies ... His favorite television shows inlcude Prison Break and Family Guy ... Miracle tops his movie list ... Nick Lidstrom and Tim Tebow are his favorite athletes ... Kapla’s a country music fan who lists Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton as his favorite performers ... He chose UMass Lowell to get a great education and play hockey at a very high level.