Hurricanes Returning to Finland for 2026 Global Series Against Kraken

It was announced on Monday, March 23, that the Carolina Hurricanes, for the second time, will be making the trek to Finland to play NHL games. They are set to face the Seattle Kraken in a two-game set on Nov. 12 and 14 in Helsinki at Veikkaus Arena for the 2026 NHL Global Series. How much does this mean for the team, the players, and the fans of the Hurricanes to see them on a stage like this overseas?

A Storm Is Coming to Helsinki

The last time the Hurricanes were in Finland, they faced the Minnesota Wild for the 2010 Premiere Series at Hartwell Arena, now Veikkaus Arena. Game 1 is set for noon Eastern on Thursday, Nov. 12, and at 1 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Nov. 14. What makes this special is that Sebastian Aho was there in 2010 to watch Jussi Jokinen, Joni Pitkanen, and Tuomo Ruutu as a 13-year-old, and he will now play in his home country for the first time as an NHLer.

This moment was worth waiting for for the Finnish forward. When he learned about playing an NHL game in Finland, he stated, “Very excited. Happy. I’ve been dreaming about it for 10 years. When they announce the teams [for these games], you usually don’t see Carolina there, and you’re always like, ‘Bummer.’ But [this is] worth the wait.” He will be joining fellow countryman Jesperi Kotkaniemi as one of five Finnish players to potentially play in the Global Series this November.

The Rauma native Aho and Pori native Kotkaniemi will take on the Kraken’s Kappo Kakko (Turku), Eeli Tolvanen (Vihti), and Jani Nyman (Valkeakoski) as the contingent of Finnish players at the Global Series. For these guys, especially Aho, this is a full-circle moment that will have a deep meaning to play in front of friends and family for the first time back in Finland. “I’m pumped to go there and play in front of people who have been close to me and haven’t had the chance to travel here often, or at all. That’s going to be special.”

After winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, there will be some extra emotions for Aho as he will get to celebrate that achievement. In a country where hockey means everything, this will be something that means more than just what’s going on on the ice. He mentioned how Rod Brind’Amour always tells them to stack memories. This will be one of those to remember forever, especially after winning a medal for his home country.

“Roddy keeps telling us that you stack memories, and this is the best time of your life. You get to play a game that you dreamed of as a kid. Obviously, it’s going to be a little more to it than a normal regular-season game there. I think it’s going to be something I’ll remember for a long while.”

It’ll be interesting to see who will be playing for the Hurricanes, as they only have a handful of players on expiring deals this summer. Either way, this will be an opportunity for the players, especially Aho and Kotkaniemi, to play in front of friends and family. For the rest of the team, they’ll get to experience Finland for probably the first time.

Tickets go on sale March 31 at 4 a.m. Eastern. The Hurricanes will allow the fans to learn about Fan Four Packages that include airfare, hotel accommodations, game tickets, tours, and optional excursions. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s good to see the Hurricanes back in a series like this for the first time in 16 years.