The Winnipeg Jets take on the Carolina Hurricanes in a very early 11:30am CST start time to accommodate “Hockey Day in Finland”. The Jets have had a rich history of Finnish born players playing for them, dating back all the way to the WHA days in the early 1970s. Let's turn back the clock (at least not until next weekend) and look at some of these players...
Center Veli-Pekka Ketola (pictured on the right) was born in Pori and played for the WHA Jets from 1974-75 to 1976-77, where he had 80 goals and 173 points in 218 games for the team.
Defenseman Heikki Riihiranta (pictured on the left) was born in Helsinki and played for the WHA Jets from 1974-75 to 1976-77, where he had 10 goals and 48 points in 187 games for the team.
Goaltender Markus Mattsson was born in Suoniemi and played for both the WHA and NHL Jets from 1977-78 to 1980-81, where he had a 3.79 GAA and a .879 SV% and a record of 37-58-11 in 114 games with the team.
Defenseman Jyrki Seppä was born in Tampere and was selected 43rd overall in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played thirteen games during the 1983-84 season, where he had two points with the team.
Center Anssi Melametsä was born in Jyväskylä and was selected 249th overall in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played 27 games during the 1985-86 season, where he had three points with the team.
Defenseman Teppo Numminen was born in Tampere and was selected 29th overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played from 1988-89 to 1995-96, where he had 53 goals and 265 points in 547 games with the team.
Right winger Hannu Järvenpää was born in Il and was selected 71st overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played from 1986-87 to 1988-89, where he had 11 goals and 37 points in 114 games with the team.
Defenseman Arto Blomsten was born in Vaasa and was selected 239th overall in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played from 1993-94 to 1994-95, where he had two points in 19 games with the team.
Left winger Markku Kyllönen was born in Joensuu and was selected 163rd overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played nine games during the 1988-89 season, where he had two points with the team.
Left winger Petri Skriko was born in Lappeenranta and played for the Jets during the 1991-92 season, where he had two goals and five points in fifteen games with the team.
Hall of Famer Teemu Selänne was born in Helsinki and was selected 10th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played from 1991-92 to 1995-96, where he amassed 147 goals and 306 points in 231 games with the team. Selänne earned the Calder Trophy for his 76 goal and 132 point rookie season.
Right winger Antti Miettinen was born in Hämeenlinna and played for the Jets from 2011-12 to 2012-13, where he had eight goals and eighteen points in 67 games with the club.
Center Olli Jokinen was born in Kuopio and played for the Jets from 2012-13 to 2013-14, where he scored 25 goals and 57 points in 127 games for the team.
Right winger Joel Armia was born in Pori and played for the Jets from 2015-16 to 2017-18, where he scored 26 goals and 58 points in 179 games for the team.
Defenseman Sami Niku was born in Haapavesi and was selected 198th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played from 2017-18 to 2020-21, where he scored two goals and had ten points in 54 games with the team.
Forward Patrik Laine was born in Tampere and was selected 2nd overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and played from 2016-17 to 2020-21, where he scored 140 goals and 250 points in 306 games with the team.
Left winger Kristian Vesalainen was born in Helsinki and was selected 24th overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and is currently playing with HIFK Helsinki. In 70 games spread out between 2018-19 and 2021-22, he scored two goals and had five points for the Jets.
Right winger Joona Luoto was born in Lempäälä and played for the Jets during the 2019-20 season, where he had zero points in sixteen games with the club.
Defenseman Ville Heinola was born in Honkajoki and was selected 20th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Jets and is currently playing for the Manitoba Moose. In 35 games spread out between 2019-20 and 2022-23, he has scored one goal and eleven points for the Jets.
Right winger Saku Mäenalanen was born in Tornio and played for the Jets during the 2022-23 season, where he had four goals and ten points in 64 games with the team.
Center Rasmus Kupari was born in Kotka and is currently playing in his first season with the Jets, where he has one point in 23 games with the team.
Go Jets Go!
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Ok Jets lets get right back winning today, which one of these are you guys going to be today?
