Just like the two Finnish hockey fans in this article’s picture, Carolina Hurricanes fans have been in a pretty good mood the past month. A couple losses have dimmed it a bit, but overall team optimism is at a new high. It might be getting even better as Carolina’s Finnish prospect Aleksi Saarela is tearing it up for the Charlotte Checkers.
You may recognize Saarela’s name. That’s because he was part of the deal that sent Eric Staal to the New York Rangers last season. Back then, it was still too early to tell if the Canes got a good return for their captain.