Making the Grade
With the help of Harri Aho (Kärpät general manager and father of Sebastian Aho), Joni Pitkanen’s final impact move as a Finnish scout for the Carolina Hurricanes might’ve been his work in watching and recruiting 2018 free agent signing Saku Maenalanen, whose performance in the Finnish Liiga and in the 2018 World Championships caught Carolina’s attention and led to a one-year contract for the 2018-19 season.
Maenalanen, a 2013 fifth-round pick of the Nashville Predators who opted to continue playing in Finland as opposed to turning pro in North America, compiled 192 games played in the Liiga across five seasons before signing with Carolina at the age of 24.