Teuvo Teravainen departs from the Blackhawks for a much better opportunity
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Photo credit: NHL.com
Chicago Blackhawks winger embraces rare high-stakes games while his teammates hit pause
While majority of the Blackhawks begin to scatter for relaxation and sunshine, Chicago Blackhawks forward, Teuvo Tervainen, will gear up for the kind of hockey Chicago can't offer him; intense, quick and meaningful.
As the one and only Blackhawk representative at the 4 Nations Face-off, Teravainen will be leaving his struggling NHL team for an underdog Finnish team looking to defy the odds.
«I've got to turn off the group chat so I don't see the beach pictures,»
Teravainen joked.
«It's fun to play in a tournament like this, but I know the guys are happy to get away, too.»
Finland recently faced extreme competition this year against Sweden, Canada and the gold winning team, U.S.A.
However, the uphill climb has just gotten steeper as Finland recently lost Miro Heiskanen, due to an injury, and there is a possibility of absence from star player, Mikko Rantanen.
Despite the conditions, Tervainen sees opportunity in the adversity.
«It's easier being the underdog,»
«Finland wins by playing structured, defensive hockey with great goaltending. If we do that, we'll be dangerous.»
«Finland wins by playing structured, defensive hockey with great goaltending. If we do that, we'll be dangerous.»
Veteran forward, Nick Foligno, also spoke about his perspective of Tervainen representing Finland.
«We'll miss him for a couple of weeks, but this is a great chance for him,» Foligno said. «Representing your country is special. «
The 29-year-old has come full circle throughout his hockey career thus far. He was originally a first-round pick (18th overall) in 2012, he also played an impeccable and unforgettable roll in the Chicago's 2015 Stanley Cup run before he was traded away in 2016 to Carolina.
Despite several successful years with the Carolina Hurricanes, Tervainen returned to the Chicago Blackhawks last summer on a 5-year contract with a $27.5 million deal.
Although the Hawks are currently sitting 31st in the NHL, Teravainen has done his part, ranking second in team scoring with 40 points (12 goals and 28 assists) in 55 games.
Rookie phenom Connor Bedard spoke up about Tervainen in an interview.
The 29-year-old has come full circle throughout his hockey career thus far. He was originally a first-round pick (18th overall) in 2012, he also played an impeccable and unforgettable roll in the Chicago's 2015 Stanley Cup run before he was traded away in 2016 to Carolina.
Despite several successful years with the Carolina Hurricanes, Tervainen returned to the Chicago Blackhawks last summer on a 5-year contract with a $27.5 million deal.
Although the Hawks are currently sitting 31st in the NHL, Teravainen has done his part, ranking second in team scoring with 40 points (12 goals and 28 assists) in 55 games.
Rookie phenom Connor Bedard spoke up about Tervainen in an interview.
«He's been huge for us,»
«Just a really smart player. He makes everything easier.»
For the Hawks, the break is a mental reset. For Teravainen, it's a chance to prove himself and that Finland isn't done just yet.
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