What Happened
The Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes have arrived in Helsinki for two NHL Global Series games at Veikkaus Arena, Finland's largest indoor venue with 13,349 seats for hockey. The teams meet Thursday at 9 a.m. Seattle time and again Saturday at 10 a.m. Seattle time. For Seattle, in its sixth season, this is the franchise's first overseas trip; its only previous game outside an NHL facility was the 2024 Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park. The Kraken's Finnish players — Kaapo Kakko, Jani Nyman and Ville Ottavainen — are serving as tour guides for teammates, with Kakko, the longest-tenured of the trio, saying, "I'm excited to be there." Carolina, the defending Stanley Cup champion, is making its second trip outside North America, both to Helsinki, after playing in the 2010 NHL Premiere Series. The Hurricanes' Finnish contingent includes Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Juuso Valimaki. Aho said: "I've been dreaming about it for 10 years. When they announce the teams (for these games), you usually don't see Carolina in there and you're always like, 'Bummer.' But this is worth the wait."
"I'm excited to be there," Kaapo Kakko said of playing an NHL game near home.
"I've been dreaming about it for 10 years. When they announce the teams (for these games), you usually don't see Carolina in there and you're always like, 'Bummer.' But this is worth the wait," Sebastian Aho said.
Key Details
- Games are Thursday at 9 a.m. Seattle time and Saturday at 10 a.m. Seattle time.
- Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki seats 13,349 for hockey.
- Seattle's Finnish players: Kaapo Kakko, Jani Nyman, Ville Ottavainen.
- Carolina's Finnish players: Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Juuso Valimaki.
- Seattle is in its sixth season and making its first overseas trip.
- Carolina previously played in Helsinki in the 2010 NHL Premiere Series.
- Carolina is the defending Stanley Cup champion.
What It Means
The Global Series gives both clubs a midseason showcase in a key European market. For Seattle, the trip is a franchise first and a bonding opportunity with three Finnish players guiding teammates. For Carolina, returning to Helsinki reconnects the organization with its Finnish stars, including Sebastian Aho, and builds on the team's 2010 visit. The two games count in the standings, so both clubs will look to manage travel and time-zone effects while adjusting to the larger international ice surface.
What's Next
The Kraken and Hurricanes play the first of two games Thursday at 9 a.m. Seattle time, then meet again Saturday at 10 a.m. Seattle time at Veikkaus Arena. Both teams will then return to North America to resume their regular-season schedules.