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Hurricanes Adjusting to the Global Series Excitement in Helsinki

Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

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Hurricanes Adjusting to the Global Series Excitement in Helsinki

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Zach Martin | Last updated Nov 11, 2026 9:15 AM ET

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Life in the NHL can be monotonous and predictable at times. Sometimes everything can happen all at once, then it takes a bit to settle down and find the time to calm down. However, when a new event or adventure gets thrown into the mix, it can breathe some new excitement into a season that lasts from September to the middle of June. For the Carolina Hurricanes, they are embarking on a new adventure as they’re currently in Helsinki, Finland, for the 2026 Global Series as they take on the Seattle Kraken. What has it been like for the team as they’re a couple of days into another chapter in the franchise’s history?

Off the Plane & Right Into “The Cave”

The turnaround to travel to Finland was a quick one for the Hurricanes as they left Sunday night (Nov. 8), less than 24 hours after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 9-2 at the Lenovo Center. For the eight-hour flight, the team was put onto a charter plane that left from Raleigh and flew straight to Helsinki. The flight left at 9:15 p.m.; dinner was at 10:30 p.m.; they landed at 12:30 p.m. the next day, and were on the ice at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Talk about getting right back to work for “The Machine”.

For some, it’s a new experience to travel to Europe and/or Scandinavia. For others, it’s normal, especially if they’re from over there and/or have played in these types of events before. Nikolaj Ehlers is one of a few who are from Europe and has played in the Global Series before. The Danish forward played in the 2018 Global Series with the Winnipeg Jets.

For him, this is another chance to play in front of friends and family once again, who will be making the trip to Helsinki from Denmark. “For me, the flight to Europe is tough because ultimately you’d have to go to bed as soon as you step on that plane, and then only sleep for two, three hours, and then get up. But I think if you can somehow get a couple hours of sleep at some point, then it’s just a matter of staying awake until 9, 10, 11 p.m. the next day, and you know, work it from there.”

After the team got to Helsinki, they were bussed to Veikkaus Arena to begin practicing for the two games later in the week. What makes their practices interesting is that they take place in what’s called “The Cave”. “The Cave” is built underneath Veikkaus Arena, two floors below where the games will be held on Thursday and Saturday. Following the Hurricanes’ first practice, head coach Rod Brind’Amour was asked about holding a session like that in a unique venue. “Well, I’ve been here before. The first time, 15 years ago, I wasn’t a player. It was my first year being done [playing], but I was with the team, and I was just kind of in awe. You don’t see stuff like this. Pretty cool.”

Back to Where it All Began

While it’s a new experience for some, or maybe a return to Europe/Finland for others, it’s a return home to where their hockey careers began. For Sebastian Aho, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Jusso Välimäki, it’s the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play an NHL game in their home country.

For Aho, this moment has been 16 years in the making. He was 13 when he saw the Hurricanes face the Minnesota Wild back in 2010, the last time the team played overseas. Now, at 29, it’s a full-circle moment for the Finnish native to play back home. “At least me and KK, for sure, we’re pumped. I think guys are excited to be here. It’s kind of a unique trip. Obviously, you get to spend a lot of time together. We’re already a very close group, but it never hurts to be together and just hang out. Trying to focus on winning Thursday and go from there.”

It’ll be an exciting moment for Aho to see his dad and the whole family watch him in Helsinki for both games. It’s something that non-North American players can experience: playing NHL games in front of loved ones. “My father and I have a very close relationship. We are in contact on a daily basis, either by calling or texting. Dad watches all my games. It’s pretty wild how he copes. But it’s your own choice.”

Regarding Kotkaniemi, he enters the Global Series playing his best hockey. After a tough couple of seasons, he has five goals and 10 points in 17 games, and has rejuvenated his career at the right time. For him, being able to come back to Finland and having a strong start to 2026-27 is huge. “It’s been fun. So far, we’ve been racking up a lot of wins early in the year, so that’s been great. Now, coming here, seeing family and friends a little bit, and being able to show Finland to all the guys, everyone’s pretty pumped about that.”

It’s not every day that players get to play NHL games in their home countries if they’re not from the USA or Canada. For Kotkaniemi, this will be surreal to experience this event back in Finland. “The feeling is even more amazing than I could have ever dreamed of, now that I get to come to Finland to play hockey in NHL colors, and what’s more, on the defending Stanley Cup champion team. And it was hard to even dream of an opportunity like this.”

Not only has he been playing great, but he has the opportunity to share moments and memories with his family. One of those memories? His Stanley Cup ring. ”I brought my Stanley Cup ring with me and I’m going to give it to my parents, who get to take it home. They are seeing the ring for the first time now. That’s great, too.”

While he’s only played in seven games this season, Välimäki has made most of his opportunities and is now back in Finland with the chance to play NHL games in front of those who supported him throughout his career. “That would be pretty awesome. Once in a lifetime opportunity, I think. It’s been a long time since a lot of people have seen me play live and all that. But you know, Finland loves hockey, so it’s going to be a pretty big deal back there. It would just be cool to go into some spots that I know. You don’t get to go home ever during the season. So I would definitely be excited about it, and hopefully, I’ll be there.”

While it’s uncertain which game he will play in, Välimäki has done enough to earn a chance to play in the Global Series against the Kraken. Not only that, but he will also help Aho and Kotkaniemi showcase how amazing Finnish food and culture are during the Hurricanes’ time in Helsinki.

Experiencing Finnish Culture in Helsinki

When it comes to Finland, the most common things are the saunas and, more known recently, salmon soup. After hearing about the culture of Finland, it’s time to pay up and showcase how amazing it is firsthand. No pressure at all for the three Finnish players to show their teammates the sights and what their home country has to offer.

Kotkaniemi knows that it’s time to “put up or shut up” when it comes to backing up the teasing he gives his teammates from North America. “Finland is home for a few of our players, which makes this trip truly special. We get to experience our own culture. In North America, we tease teammates whose hometowns we visit. We say that if you ever came to Finland, we’d show you around.

Now it’s put-up or shut-up time. We want our teammates to get a little taste of Finnish culture. Everyone is probably excited to experience the sauna and everything else. I believe many will enjoy this week. A lot of guys are asking where to get Finnish food, where to go for a sauna, and what else they could do.”

Carolina Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

For Välimäki, this trip is about showing off the culture and listening to Finnish music during practices at “The Cave”. It gives a full-circle moment and appreciate these times, especially with the journey he went through to get back here. “It’s great to introduce Finnish food, drinks, and culture to the others. The atmosphere has even allowed for listening to Finnish music during practices. The journey has been long and colorful.

Family and kids have helped me understand that hockey isn’t everything. Nowadays, I’m able to leave work matters at the rink much more easily. I enjoy playing and don’t overthink things, and that’s when my game flows better, too. I earned my way back to the NHL through my own hard work, and I hope there are still many playing years ahead of me.”

With it being 24 hours until the first game of the Global Series on Thursday, Nov. 12, it’s already been a fun experience to see the Hurricanes in a different environment. As Brind’Amour puts it, this team is “stacking memories” as they experience a new culture in Finland and will play NHL games internationally once again.

The hope is to claim four points over the next two games. Furthermore, it’s also about learning and experiencing a different culture, one that involves three of their own. This will be something to remember forever. The best part? There’s still so much more to experience this week in Helsinki.

This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

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