The Kraken Are Going International: Seattle Heads to Helsinki This November
Mark your calendars, 12s. The Seattle Kraken are about to make history. For the first time in franchise history, the boys in teal are heading to Europe. The Kraken will take on the Carolina Hurricanes in two games next November as part of the NHL's Global Series, with matchups scheduled for Nov. 12 and Nov. 14 in Helsinki, Finland.
A First for Seattle, a Return to Europe for Carolina
This is a massive moment for the Kraken organization. Six seasons into their existence, they're finally making the trip across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Carolina is heading back to Europe for the first time since 2010, so this is a big deal for both teams. The league and the players' association announced the matchup on Monday, and honestly, it's the kind of thing that puts the franchise on the global stage.
The timing is perfect too. Both rosters feature Finnish talent that will make playing in Helsinki extra special. The Kraken have Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen on the roster, while Carolina counters with Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi. All four players bring serious skill to the ice, and all of them except Tolvanen are locked in for next season. Having that Finnish connection in both lineups makes this Global Series event even more meaningful.
A Storied Venue in a Hockey Hotbed
Helsinki's Veikkaus Arena, formerly known as Hartwall Arena, is no stranger to hosting NHL hockey. The building has been home to seven regular season games since 2007, with the most recent one going down in 2018 when Florida and Winnipeg squared off there. It's a legendary spot for European hockey, and the Kraken get to add their name to that history.
The NHL has been pushing the Global Series hard since 2007, and Europe continues to be a hot market. In December, Ottawa and Chicago will head to Duesseldorf, Germany for two more matchups. But for now, all eyes are on Helsinki in November when Seattle makes its international debut.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.