Jan 12, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) with the puck during the first period against the Nashville Predators at the United Center. Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Teuvo Teravainen Was Meant to Return to the Blackhawks

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ron Luce | Last updated Jul 9, 2024 4:01 PM ET

In 2012, the Chicago Blackhawks selected a small, skillful center out of Finland with the 18th overall pick named Teuvo Teravainen. He debuted in Chicago in 2014, and won the Stanley Cup as a meaningful contributor in 2015. 10 points in 18 playoff games set up a heck of a foundation for the young forward. However, after a 35-point season in 2015-16, Teravainen was dealt to the Carolina Hurricanes to move on from Bryan Bickell's contract.

At the time and in hindsight, moving on from Teravainen felt wrong and was a real miss as he became a quality top-six forward in his time with Carolina. Teravainen would've been one of the few first-round successes the previous regime had in Chicago had he stayed.

Fast forward to July 1, 2024. Teravainen hit the free agency market for the first time in his career and subsequently signed a three-year deal to return to Chicago. He's back and ready to provide meaningful contributions.

On Tuesday, Teravainen spoke to the Chicago media for the first time since his return. Wearing a Chicago Blackhawks hat that he found "laying in some corner", Teravainen expressed his excitement to be back.

Teuvo Teravainen has his old Blackhawks hat on in his Zoom press conference today.

He says he had a few free agency options but it was an "easy decision" based on his familiarity with Chicago. pic.twitter.com/OoHmd1c2Rb
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) July 9, 2024

"It's awesome to be back," Teravainen said. "I kind of knew they were a little bit interested, and also for myself, when I heard they might be interested, I was right away very interested. I had a few options, but I felt like it’s the right path for me right now, so excited. Kind of easy because I know the city, I have good memories from there, so easy decision."

Not only is the returning Blackhawk excited to be back, he's here to help this team take that next step in the rebuild that Kyle Davidson has spoken about often this offseason.

"Of course winning is more fun than losing so I want to do it right away, but hopefully we can get there as soon as we can. Let’s get to work in Chicago so hopefully we can get there."

In the end, Teravainen is meant to be a Blackhawk again. He remembers Kyle Davidson picking him up from the airport as the new guy with the Hawks, and now both of them are among the "leaders" of the organization. Teuvo was meant to return, and the time feels right for him to step in as a veteran top-six player to help Connor Bedard, and the rest of the youth in the organization, take that next step.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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