The Cowichan Valley Capitals shored up their blueline last week with the acquisition of 2002-born defenceman Jakob Karpa from the Wenatchee Wild.
Born in Newport Beach, California, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Karpa spent the 2021-22 season with the Wild, compiling 11 points on three goals and eight assists in 38 games. He added three points, all assists, in seven playoff games.
Prior to joining the Wild, Karpa spent the 2020-21 season with the Chippewa Steel of the North American Hockey League, recording a goal and an assist in 29 contests.
“We are happy to acquire Jakob as a solid reliable 20-year-old,” Capitals head coach and general manager Brian Passmore said. “Jakob is a nice-skating right-shot defencemen, he plays a simple and smart game and makes a good first pass. Jakob can play in all situations and provide leadership to our team. We feel Jakob makes our team better.”
Karpa’s father Dave played 557 games in the NHL for the Quebec Nordiques, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers between 1991-92 and 2002-03.