Last Updated on November 11, 2026 by Carmen Marins
Kaapo Kakko is a Finnish professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward for the Seattle Kraken in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 13, 2001, in Turku, Finland, Kakko became internationally recognized for his performances with Finland’s national hockey teams and his selection as the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Beyond his professional career, Kakko comes from a supportive Finnish family. His parents, Petri and Sari Kakko, encouraged his athletic development, while his younger brother, Konsta Kakko, shared his childhood passion for hockey.
His grandparents, Reino and Heljä Kakko, also played important roles in his upbringing and helped him pursue professional hockey opportunities.
In his romantic life, Kakko has previously been linked to Finnish actress Julia Korpinen, although the current status of their relationship has not been independently confirmed.
Here is everything publicly known about Kaapo Kakko’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
Kaapo Kakko’s Girlfriend: Who Is Julia Korpinen?
Kaapo Kakko has been romantically linked to Finnish actress Julia Korpinen, who gained recognition through the popular Finnish television series Salatut elämät (Secret Lives).
Reports connecting the hockey player and actress first appeared in Finnish entertainment media in 2020.
According to Seiska, a Finnish entertainment publication, Kakko and Korpinen were reportedly spending time together and had developed a romantic relationship.
The publication later reported additional sightings of the pair in Finland, including public appearances in Turku during the summer of 2022.
However, Kakko has generally avoided discussing his romantic relationships in interviews.
Although Korpinen has repeatedly been described as his reported girlfriend, neither a current relationship nor a recent separation has been independently confirmed through a public statement from the couple.
How Did Kaapo Kakko and Julia Korpinen’s Relationship Become Public?
In October 2020, Seiska published reports suggesting that Kaapo Kakko was romantically involved with Julia Korpinen.
At the time, Kakko was already playing professionally for the New York Rangers, while Korpinen was developing her acting career in Finland.
When contacted by Seiska, Kakko did not directly confirm or deny the relationship.
Instead, he explained that he preferred keeping his private life away from public attention.
The publication continued reporting on their alleged romance during the following years.
In 2021, Korpinen shared social media content that attracted attention because of apparent connections to Kakko’s home.
In 2022, Seiska reported that the pair had been seen together at a restaurant terrace in Turku and had attended activities surrounding the Ruisrock music festival.
In the summer of 2024, Finnish sports media also reported that Korpinen appeared in photographs shared by Kakko during his vacation.
These reports established a history of public connections between the two, although they do not establish whether the relationship continued into November 2026.
What Does Julia Korpinen Do?
Julia Korpinen is a Finnish actress known for portraying Anna Ihalainen in the television drama Salatut elämät.
She has also pursued interests in film production and other entertainment-related projects.
Her professional activities have attracted public attention independently of her reported relationship with Kakko.
Despite the media interest surrounding their personal lives, both have generally maintained discretion when discussing romantic relationships.
Is Kaapo Kakko Married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Kaapo Kakko is married.
Although he has previously been linked to Julia Korpinen, neither an engagement nor a wedding has been verified through official announcements or established reporting.
Therefore, Kakko should not be described as married based solely on previous dating rumors.
Does Kaapo Kakko Have Children?
There is no verified public information indicating that Kaapo Kakko has children.
The Seattle Kraken forward has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and his official NHL biographies do not identify any children.
Although Kakko has attracted considerable attention because of his professional hockey career, he has generally kept his personal life private.
Consequently, any claims that he has children should be supported by reliable evidence rather than speculation.
Kaapo Kakko’s Parents
Kaapo Kakko was born to Petri Kakko and Sari Kakko in Turku, Finland.
Their identities are confirmed in the New York Rangers’ official 2019 prospect background materials and multiple Finnish sports reports.
Unlike some professional hockey players who grow up in families with extensive professional sporting backgrounds, Kakko was raised by parents whose careers were outside professional athletics.
Nevertheless, Petri and Sari helped provide an environment where their son could develop his abilities and pursue competitive hockey.
Kaapo Kakko’s Father: Petri Kakko
Petri Kakko is Kaapo Kakko’s father and an important influence on his childhood.
According to The Hockey News, Petri worked as a police officer in Finland.
He raised Kaapo and his younger brother Konsta alongside his wife Sari in the Turku region.
During childhood, the brothers frequently spent time playing road hockey and other outdoor games.
Although the family did not have a permanent backyard ice rink, Kaapo and Konsta found ways to practice their hockey skills.
They played street hockey with neighborhood children and practiced shooting using makeshift nets and playing areas.
These activities helped Kaapo improve his puck-handling ability, creativity, and shooting technique.
Petri Kakko’s Support During the 2019 NHL Draft
Petri remained an important supporter as Kaapo progressed through Finland’s youth hockey system.
When Kakko became one of the leading prospects for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, his family accompanied him to Vancouver, British Columbia.
According to a June 18, 2019, report from Forever Blueshirts, Kaapo traveled with his father Petri, mother Sari, and younger brother Konsta.
The trip represented a major milestone for the family after years of supporting Kaapo’s sporting ambitions.
On June 21, 2019, the New York Rangers selected him second overall.
The achievement made Kakko one of the highest-drafted Finnish players in NHL history.
His family’s presence helped make the occasion particularly meaningful.
Kaapo Kakko’s Mother: Sari Kakko
Sari Kakko is Kaapo Kakko’s mother and another important figure in his upbringing.
According to The Hockey News, Sari worked as a kindergarten teacher in Finland.
She raised Kaapo and Konsta alongside her husband Petri, helping balance the children’s education, recreational activities, and sporting commitments.
Sari supported Kaapo as he became increasingly involved in organized ice hockey.
His development eventually required extensive training and frequent travel for games, making family encouragement particularly important.
As a teenager, Kaapo joined the competitive youth system of TPS Turku, one of Finland’s established professional hockey organizations.
His parents continued supporting his ambitions as he progressed toward the senior team.
Kaapo Kakko’s Relationship With His Mother
Kaapo has publicly expressed affection for his mother and acknowledged her importance in his life.
During the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Finland, he discussed his plans for Mother’s Day in an interview reported by MTV Uutiset.
Because the tournament coincided with Mother’s Day celebrations, Kakko explained that he hoped his family could attend games in Tampere.
He also stated that he intended to contact Sari to wish her a happy Mother’s Day.
His comments demonstrated that family connections remained important despite his demanding international hockey schedule.
Sari and Petri also attended Kaapo’s early NHL games following his move to North America.
According to Finnish broadcaster Yle, his parents traveled to watch his first NHL game before returning to Finland because of their work commitments.
Kaapo Kakko’s Siblings
Kaapo Kakko has one publicly confirmed sibling: a younger brother named Konsta Kakko.
The New York Rangers’ official prospect information and Elite Prospects identify Konsta as his brother.
Finnish reporting has also described Konsta as Kaapo’s younger sibling.
Kaapo Kakko’s Brother: Konsta Kakko
Konsta Kakko is Kaapo Kakko’s younger brother.
The brothers grew up together in the Turku region of Finland, where hockey became an important part of their childhood.
According to The Hockey News, they frequently played road hockey with friends and neighbors.
Instead of relying exclusively on organized training, the brothers spent time practicing shooting and puck-handling skills in their backyard.
Kaapo later explained that these activities allowed him to develop creativity and confidence with the puck.
Konsta’s presence provided Kaapo with someone to share his early passion for hockey.
The brothers’ upbringing highlights the importance of informal outdoor games in developing young hockey players.
Konsta Kakko and the 2019 NHL Draft
Konsta accompanied his parents and older brother to Vancouver for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
According to Forever Blueshirts, all four family members traveled together for the important occasion.
During the draft, Kaapo was widely regarded as one of the top prospects available, alongside American center Jack Hughes.
When the New York Rangers selected him second overall, Konsta and the rest of the family witnessed a major milestone in Kaapo’s sporting career.
Although Konsta has been identified in official hockey biographies, relatively little additional information about his personal life has been made public.
His current profession, education, and relationship status have not been reliably established in the sources reviewed.
Does Kaapo Kakko Have a Sister?
There is no reliable public information identifying a sister of Kaapo Kakko.
Official prospect biographies list his parents, Petri and Sari, and his brother, Konsta, without identifying any sisters.
Therefore, Konsta is his only publicly documented sibling.
Kaapo Kakko’s Grandparents
Kaapo Kakko also has close family connections with his paternal grandparents, Reino Kakko and Heljä Kakko.
Both grandparents were identified in Finnish media coverage during his rise to international prominence in 2019.
They played meaningful roles in his childhood and helped him pursue hockey opportunities.
Kaapo Kakko’s Grandfather: Reino Kakko
Reino Kakko is Kaapo Kakko’s paternal grandfather.
In May 2019, Finnish magazine Apu interviewed Reino while Kaapo was competing at the IIHF World Championship.
Reino expressed pride in his grandson’s dedication and emphasized the importance of allowing him to concentrate on his hockey career.
As Kaapo became increasingly involved in professional hockey, he spent time living in a property belonging to his grandparents in Turku.
The arrangement provided easier access to training facilities and reduced the distance he needed to travel.
Kaapo Kakko’s Grandmother: Heljä Kakko
Heljä Kakko is Kaapo Kakko’s paternal grandmother and another important influence on his early interest in hockey.
According to Apu, Heljä worked as a family daycare provider in Turku.
She recognized Kaapo’s enthusiasm for hockey when he was very young.
In an interview with Finnish television, she recalled that he enjoyed playing with a hockey stick around the house.
Heljä reportedly purchased skates for Kaapo before his parents had done so.
She helped introduce him to skating at outdoor rinks near the family’s home.
As he became more serious about hockey, his grandparents also helped transport him to training sessions.
Why Did Kaapo Kakko Live With His Grandparents?
During his teenage years, Kaapo moved from his family home to a property associated with his grandparents in the Mälikkälä area of Turku.
According to Yle and Apu, the move helped shorten his journey to hockey practices and TPS facilities.
It also allowed him to develop independence before leaving Finland to pursue his NHL career.
The property provided a private living space while keeping him close to relatives who could offer support.
This arrangement demonstrated how his extended family contributed to his development as a professional athlete.
How Kaapo Kakko’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Kaapo Kakko’s passion for hockey developed in the Turku region, where he spent his childhood playing outdoor games with his brother and neighborhood friends.
His parents encouraged him to participate in sports, while his grandparents introduced him to skating and helped with training arrangements.
He began his competitive hockey development with Kiekko-67 before joining the youth system of TPS Turku.
Kakko became one of Finland’s most promising young players and made his debut in the country’s top professional league during the 2017–18 season.
In 2018, he helped Finland win the IIHF World Under-18 Championship.
He followed that success by scoring the winning goal in the 2019 World Junior Championship final against the United States.
Later in 2019, Kakko helped Finland win the senior IIHF World Championship, becoming the youngest player at that time to win gold medals at all three major IIHF championship levels.
His success made him one of the leading prospects available in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
After being selected second overall by the New York Rangers, he began his NHL career in October 2019.
Kakko spent more than five seasons with New York before being traded to the Seattle Kraken on December 18, 2024.
The move gave him opportunities to play a more prominent offensive role.
During the 2024–25 NHL season, he recorded a career-high 44 points across 79 games with New York and Seattle.
On July 22, 2025, Kakko signed a three-year, $13.575 million contract with the Kraken, keeping him under contract through the 2027–28 season.
Throughout his journey, the encouragement of his parents, brother, and grandparents has remained an important part of his personal history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kaapo Kakko’s Family
Who is Kaapo Kakko’s girlfriend?
Kaapo Kakko has previously been romantically linked to Finnish actress Julia Korpinen. Finnish entertainment media reported sightings of the pair between 2020 and 2024, but their current relationship status has not been independently confirmed.
Is Kaapo Kakko married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Kaapo Kakko is married.
Does Kaapo Kakko have children?
There is no verified public information indicating that Kaapo Kakko has children.
Who are Kaapo Kakko’s parents?
His parents are Petri Kakko and Sari Kakko, who raised him in the Turku region of Finland.
What does Kaapo Kakko’s father do?
Petri Kakko has worked as a police officer in Finland, according to The Hockey News.
Who is Kaapo Kakko’s mother?
His mother is Sari Kakko, who has worked as a kindergarten teacher in Finland.
Does Kaapo Kakko have siblings?
Yes. Kaapo Kakko has a younger brother named Konsta Kakko.
Who is Kaapo Kakko’s brother?
His younger brother, Konsta Kakko, grew up playing road hockey with him in the Turku region and attended the 2019 NHL Entry Draft with their parents.
Does Kaapo Kakko have a sister?
No sister has been identified in reliable reporting or his official NHL prospect biography.
Who are Kaapo Kakko’s grandparents?
His publicly identified paternal grandparents are Reino Kakko and Heljä Kakko, who helped support his hockey development in Turku.
Why did Kaapo Kakko live with his grandparents?
As a teenager, Kakko lived in a property belonging to his grandparents because it was closer to the training facilities he used while playing for TPS Turku.
Where is Kaapo Kakko’s family from?
The Kakko family is from the Turku region of southwestern Finland, with connections to the municipalities of Turku and Lieto.
Combining a deep passion for hockey with an analytical mindset, Carmen Marins covers the NHL from the opening night of the season all the way through the Stanley Cup playoffs. She focuses on game strategy, team chemistry, trade deadline updates, and player performance metrics, breaking down high-speed ice action into engaging, accessible insights for readers.
