newsobserver
The Carolina Hurricanes have arrived in Helsinki, Finland, for the 2026 NHL Global Series, where they will take on the Seattle Kraken in two games this week. The trip holds special significance for Finnish players Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Juuso Valimaki, who will compete in their home country.
After a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, Jordan Martinook, named player of the game, rallied the team in the locker room with a shout-out to Aho, affectionately known as 'Fishy.' Martinook's excitement set the tone for the journey ahead.
Aho, a native of Rauma, has represented Finland internationally and brought the Stanley Cup home this summer, but playing NHL games in Finland is a new experience. 'I don't know what to expect,' Aho said before the trip. 'It's going to be so much fun for me. Hopefully, put on a good show and win some hockey games.' His wife, Rosa, and daughter, Vivian, traveled ahead to handle logistics, including ticket arrangements for friends and family at Veikkaus Arena.
Head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who generally dislikes long road trips, acknowledged the uniqueness of the situation. 'For Fishy to go back, I mean he's been a great Hurricane for a long time and hopefully we celebrate him by playing the right way,' Brind'Amour said. 'I think that's what I'm really looking forward to.'
The Hurricanes have history in Finland, having opened the 2010-11 season with two wins over the Minnesota Wild in Helsinki. A 13-year-old Aho was in the stands then, watching Finnish players like Tuomo Ruutu, Joni Pitkanen, and Jussi Jokinen. Now, he's the one playing at home.
On Monday, the team held its first practice at Veikkaus Arena's underground rink, known as 'The Cave.' Captain Jordan Staal, who has missed 13 games with a calf injury, participated and may return to the lineup during the series. 'That's another box checked, moving forward,' Staal said. 'I hope to get in the lineup soon.'
With Staal and winger Taylor Hall out, Kotkaniemi has seized the opportunity, recording five goals and 10 points in 17 games after a challenging previous season. 'When you talk about unbelievable teammates, he is that,' Martinook said. 'That's a testament to who he is. Last year, he did not play much. To come in and play so well, I guess it's his mental toughness. I've got so much respect for the way he's gone about his business.'
Valimaki, recalled from the AHL's Chicago Wolves, played eight games with a plus-7 rating before defenseman Alexander Nikishin returned to the lineup against Chicago.
Off the ice, Martinook is eager to explore Finnish cuisine, including salmon soup (Aho's favorite) and reindeer jerky, known as kuivaliha. His culinary adventures will be featured on his 'Meals with Marty' social media series. Kotkaniemi, a native of Pori, is writing a daily blog for NHL.com and hopes to help teammates experience Finnish culture, though Martinook joked that Kotkaniemi hasn't planned anything. 'I've been around KK long enough, he hasn't planned a thing in his life,' Martinook said with a smile.
Key Analysis
The Global Series provides a unique opportunity for the Hurricanes to showcase their Finnish stars in front of a home crowd. Aho's leadership and Kotkaniemi's resurgence add intrigue, while Staal's potential return could bolster the lineup. The team's ability to balance hockey and cultural experiences will be tested as they aim to maintain their strong start to the season.
How to watch: Thursday's game starts at noon ET, and Saturday's game begins at 1 p.m. ET (due to the seven-hour time difference). Both games will be broadcast on the Hurricanes Hockey Network (HHN) and NHL Network.
Originally reported by newsobserver.