Hockey

Hurricanes and Kraken to Compete in Helsinki for NHL Global Series

by
James Thornton
March 23, 2026

The NHL is set to bring its exciting brand of hockey to Finland as the Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken prepare to clash in two games this November. Announced by the league and the players’ association, the matchups will take place on November 12 and 14 in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

This marks a significant moment for the Kraken, who will be making their international debut in just their sixth season. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, are familiar with global play, returning to Finland for the second time since their last visit in 2010.

Both teams boast Finnish talent on their rosters, with Carolina featuring Sebastian Aho and Jesperi Kotkaniemi, while Seattle showcases Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen. Notably, Aho, Kotkaniemi, and Kakko are all under contract for the upcoming season, ensuring that fans can look forward to seeing these players compete on their home turf.

The NHL has a rich history of international games, having held 42 regular-season matchups in Europe since 2007. Helsinki’s Veikkaus Arena, formerly known as Hartwall Arena, has been a popular venue, hosting seven games to date, with the last being a matchup between Florida and Winnipeg in 2018.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

James Thornton

James Thornton brings over a decade of sports journalism experience to 21Sports.com. Known for his razor-sharp analysis and passion for the game, James has covered everything from Super Bowls to the Olympics. His deep knowledge of football and ability to break down complex strategies make his articles a must-read for any sports fan. Off the field, James is an avid golfer who enjoys exploring new courses on the weekends.