Celebrating the Finnish style with Timonen, Teravainen and Raanta
The Chronicles of Stanley is a random series this summer that follows the Chicago Blackhawks when they each get a special lonely time with the Stanley Cup.
Passport and neck pillow ready, it’s time to fly about nine and a half hours flight from Chicago to the majestic country of Finland!
Lord Stanley’s cup was in the care of three Blackhawks. Well, one current and two former Blackhawks: Teuvo Teravainen, Kimmo Timonen and Antti Raanta.
Of Stanley’s time in Finland, there was really only one player – Kimmo Timonen.
The defender is one of the most successful ice makers in both international and NHL history in the history of Finnish hockey. He needed a place to hang his four Olympic medals, and after 16 NHL seasons, he found a suitable stand.
More than 10,000 people came to Timonen’s home village in Timonen to celebrate their favorite son and his teammates. Here’s a fan’s view of the party. You might want to liven up Finland before you look at:
After starting the season unsure whether he would ever go on ice again, he basically put his life at risk to win the Cup. Regardless of his influence or effectiveness at Blackhawks, it’s a great way to end a career.
Timonen’s ‘ottopo’ Teuvo Teravainen spent the Cup a day earlier.
After presenting his trophy to family and friends, Teravainen took Lord Stanley to a place called “Sauna Island.” That is the real thing. Finns love their saunas. (Carolina Hurricanes went there in 2010 when starting the season abroad.)
No pictures related to the sauna, but one of the dogs of Teuvo and the family may give Gustl Kopitar his money:
Stanley’s time in Finland ended with Antti Raanna’s day.
This is a bittersweet moment for the netminder. He was traded to the Rangers after losing his seat to a cheaper replacement for Scott Darling.
The sun set appropriately when Raanta lifted the Cup, wearing a Blackhawks sweater probably for the last time.
Previous Chronicles of Stanley: Baseball, Babies and Blackhawks; Kane returns to Margarita Players ’days begin, Scott Darling and Dad get ink | Jonathan Toews Gives Children the Best Day Ever at The Peg | Corey Crawford and the Man with the Blackhawks Tattoo (away)
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Jen Neale is a supplier Puck Dad On Yahoo Sports. Do you have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!