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Hurricanes’ Juuso Välimäki returns to Finland after long road back to NHL

The Tampere native travelled to Helsinki with Carolina for the NHL Global Series after spending last season in the AHL.

File photo: Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Juuso Välimäki shoots against the Nashville Predators.
Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Juuso Välimäki is back in Finland with the Carolina Hurricanes after knee injuries and a season in the minors threatened to end his NHL career. The 28-year-old from Tampere joined Carolina on its trip to Helsinki, where the Hurricanes face the Seattle Kraken at Veikkaus Arena on Nov. 12 and 14.

Välimäki told NHL.com after practice in Helsinki that he rarely gets a chance to come home during the season. Making the Hurricanes was his main goal this year, he said, and the Finland trip was a bonus.

Calgary drafted Välimäki 16th overall in 2017. A knee injury cut short his 2024–25 season with Utah. He spent last season in the AHL, signed with Carolina in June and began this season with the Chicago Wolves before the Hurricanes called him up.

Välimäki has two goals and one assist in eight games for Carolina. His place in the lineup for the Global Series games remained uncertain when he spoke to NHL.com.

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Topicscarolina hurricanesglobal seriesjuuso välimäkifinlandseattle krakendefence
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