Career
Kantola was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina and first played midget hockey with the East Coast Eagles. Kantola, of Finnish descent, played the U-18 level for Kiekkoreipas for a season before continuing his junior career in America with the Fargo-Moorhead Jets of the North American Hockey League. After two seasons with the Jets, Kantola committed to play collegiate hockey with Bowling Green State University.
Following completion of his full four year tenure with the Falcons, Kantola played 2 games to end the 2009-2010 season with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League.
As an undrafted free agent, Kantola opted to continue his career in the familiar surroundings of Finland, signing his first professional contract with Ilves of the Master of Science-liiga on June 1, 2010.