But don't assume Dunedin Thunder's new Finnish import is feeling positively tropical in sunny Dunedin.
''The houses are so cold here. At night, I'm always freezing. What's wrong with using insulation?'' Kantanen said.
Only five weeks into his spell in Dunedin, Kantanen has a whole season left to learn to love the chilly nights, and to help the Dunedin Thunder win the Birgel Cup.
The Thunder's new Finnish recruit has been playing the game for as long as he can remember and at 24, has already been playing in Finnish leagues for nine years.
''In Finland, ice hockey is very popular. Everybody loves watching hockey. It's like rugby [for New Zealanders].''
Kantanen has enjoyed success in Finland as part of the semi-professional KeuPa team, which won Finland's Suomi-sarja (third division) and was promoted into the Mestis league.
Coming from a country ranked No2 in the world, Kantanen has so far been impressed by the level of the sport in New Zealand.
''I was surprised how talented the guys are here. People are physical, they skate fast, and everyone works hard.''
Kantanen likens New Zealand hockey to a cross between North American and European styles of play. He has spent one season in the United States, playing for a junior league team, the Billing Bulls.
''In Europe, there's a lot more passing and digging. In America, they hit a lot. Here, there's parts of both. It's a bit more physical - guys like to go for big hits - but there's also a lot of passing.''
''Players in America love to fight. I had to try it once while I was there, but it's not for me.''
The Finn has been well received by his team-mates.
''He's a really good import,'' Thunder forward Luke Pickering said.
''He's a good addition to our defensive line-up, and has an impressive scoring ability.''
Dunedin coach Janos Kaszala is going to need all of Kantanen's ability - and plenty of contributions from the rest of the team - if he wants to complete the goal he set three years ago.
Kaszala set out a three-year plan that included: Beating every team in the league in year one (achieved); making the final in year two (achieved); and winning the national league in year three (watch this space).
''At this point, everybody knows my expectations, and everybody is focused on winning the title,'' Kaszala said.
After the tough loss to the Canterbury Red Devils in last year's final in Dunedin, the team is making a big run for the title.
''We had some of our young guys getting international experience over the off-season, and our imports are fresh off their seasons in Europe. Everything is in place for us to do it,'' Kaszala said.
For now, the team has to focus on this weekend's games in Auckland against the Botany Swarm.
The Thunder struggled in the second leg of double-headers last season, and will be looking to improve on that this year.
''It's only a 16-game season so we can't afford to lose games,'' Kantanen said.
''As soon as the puck drops on Saturday, we have to win. We have to be ready, and I think we are ready.''
A judicial decision relating to the incident that left Southern Stampede star Matt Schneider unconscious on the ice during a national league game has been postponed to Monday.
Canterbury Red Devils player Hayden Argyle is already banned for two games and faces further punishment for an alleged punch to Schneider's face.
Dunedin Thunder: 2014 schedule
HOME
June 28-29: v Red Devils
July 12-13: v Stampede
July 26-27: v Admirals
August 2-3: v Swarm
AWAY
June 14-15: v Swarm
June 21-22: v Stampede
August 9-10: v Red Devils
August 16-17: v Admirals
- Leni Ma'ia'i
