Old North Banter
Fansided

3 Things Hurricanes Fans Should Be Thankful For

By Ryan Henkel

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Andrei Svechnikov #37 and Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate with teammates after a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at BB&T Center on October 08, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 08: Andrei Svechnikov #37 and Dougie Hamilton #19 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate with teammates after a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period at BB&T Center on October 08, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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No. 2: Finland

HERNING, DENMARK – MAY 12: Mikko Rantanen #96 of Finland celebrate with his team mates after he scores 2nd goal during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Group B game between Canada and Finland at Jyske Bank Boxen on May 12, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images)
HERNING, DENMARK – MAY 12: Mikko Rantanen #96 of Finland celebrate with his team mates after he scores 2nd goal during the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Group B game between Canada and Finland at Jyske Bank Boxen on May 12, 2018 in Herning, Denmark. (Photo by Martin Rose/Getty Images) /

The lovingly named “Finland South,” Carolina has been a spot for many successful Finnish players over the years. The Canes have a rich history of Finns, from the very first when the team relocated, Sami Kapanen, to the all-star pairing of Aho and Teuvo Teravainen.

There have been thirteen Finns that have donned the red jerseys for Carolina over the years including the three above: Oskar Osala, Tuomo Ruutu, Jussi Jokinen, Joni Pitkanen, Rasmus Rissanen, Erik Haula, Janne Kuokkanen, Eetu Luostarinen, Saku Maenalanen and Aleksi Saarela.

The Hurricanes currently have four Finnish-born players on the roster with Teravainen, Aho, Haula and Luostarinen and have another capable prospect in Kuokkanen in Charlotte with still seven other Finnish players in the system.

The Hurricanes have definitely taken a liking to Finnish players with 25% of its 2019 draft picks being from there as well.

In all honesty, it’s about time that the Hurricanes are considered for an NHL Global Series in Finland.

With Winnipeg and Florida having played there in 2018 and now Colombus and Colorado slated for 2020, it’s a wonder why they haven’t been selected yet, but that’s a discussion for another day.

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