Hurricanes and Kraken Set for Two-Game NHL Global Series in Helsinki

The NHL Global Series returns to Finland on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14 as the Carolina Hurricanes face the Seattle Kraken in Helsinki.

The National Hockey League and the NHLPA officially confirmed on Monday that the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken will contest two regular-season games at Veikkaus Arena on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14. This 2024 international itinerary marks the first time the Kraken franchise has traveled outside North America for competitive play since joining the league six years ago. Carolina returns to European ice for the first time since 2010, ending a 14-year absence from the overseas stage. These matchups represent the 43rd and 44th regular-season contests staged in Europe since the 2007 campaign, reinforcing the league's commitment to expanding its footprint across the Atlantic.

Four Finnish nationals currently occupy spots on these two rosters, headlined by Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Hurricanes. Both players remain under contract for the 2024-25 season, ensuring local fans will see their homegrown stars in action. The Kraken roster features Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen, though Tolvanen enters the upcoming period without a signed deal for the next calendar year. Helsinki has previously served as the backdrop for seven NHL regular-season games, making it one of the most frequent hosts in the history of the Global Series. The selection of Veikkaus Arena marks a return to the venue formerly known as Hartwall Arena, which last hosted professional North American hockey in 2018 when the Florida Panthers faced the Winnipeg Jets.

Logistical planning for the November event places the games on a Tuesday and Thursday, creating a mid-week hockey festival in the Finnish capital. While the Hurricanes and Kraken occupy the November slot, the league's broader international strategy includes a December trip to Duesseldorf, Germany, involving the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks. The Helsinki series specifically highlights the deep talent pool emerging from Finland, as three of the four primary Finnish players involved are already locked into their respective team structures for the duration of the trip. This venture into Northern Europe follows a six-year hiatus for the city, which has not seen a regular-season puck drop since the 2018-19 season.

Statistically, the NHL's presence in Europe has grown to encompass over 40 games across various nations, with Finland consistently ranking as a primary destination due to its high per-capita player production. The Kraken's inclusion in this specific series highlights their rapid integration into the league's marketing initiatives despite their relatively short history. For the Hurricanes, the trip serves as a significant milestone in their modern era, moving their brand beyond the Eastern Conference borders. Veikkaus Arena provides a seating capacity and infrastructure that has historically supported the high-intensity requirements of regular-season NHL play. By the conclusion of the Thursday night game on Nov. 14, the league will have successfully executed its first multi-game series in Helsinki in over half a decade, further solidifying the bridge between the Finnish Liiga and the world's premier hockey organization.