The 2018-19 Carolina Hurricanes were full of success stories. It was bound to happen, on a team that waited 9 years to appear in the playoffs. Everything clicked. Greg McKegg became a bona fide NHLer. Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney were brick walls in goal. Justin Faulk actually defended well. But one of the most successful storylines was that of Saku Maenalanen.
Maenalanen, who came over from Finland, had a long-winding and unexpected path to make it in the NHL. He was a 5th round pick by the Nashville Predators way back in 2012.