Chronicles of Stanley: Celebrating Suomi-style with Timonen, Teravainen and Raanta
The Chronicles of Stanley is an occasional series this summer that tracks the Chicago Blackhawks as they each get their special alone time with the Stanley Cup.
Get your passport and neck pillow ready, it’s time to take an approximately nine and half hour flight from Chicago to the majestic land of Finland!
Lord Stanley’s chalice was under the care of three Blackhawks. Well, one current and two now-former Blackhawks: Teuvo Teravainen, Kimmo Timonen, and Antti Raanta.
Out of the three players, Stanley’s time in Finland was really all about one player – Kimmo Timonen.
In the history of Finnish hockey, the defenseman is one of the most successful to grace both the international and NHL ice. He needed a place to hang his four Olympic medals, and after 16 NHL seasons, he found a suitable stand.
Over 10,000 people showed up in Timonen’s hometown of Kuopio to celebrate their favorite son and his teammates. Here’s a fan’s eye view of the celebration. Might want to brush up on your Finnish before watching:
After starting the season unsure if he’d ever take the ice again, he basically put his life on the line to win a Cup. Regardless of his impact or effectiveness on the Blackhawks, it’s one heck of a way to end a career.
Timonen’s ‘adopted son’ Teuvo Teravainen had his day with the Cup a day prior.
After showing off his trophy to family and friends, Teravainen took Lord Stanley to a place called ‘Sauna Island.’ It’s a real thing. The Finnish people love their saunas. (The Carolina Hurricanes went there in 2010 as they started the season overseas.)
No sauna related pictures, but one of Teuvo and the family dogs might give Gustl Kopitar a run for his money:
Stanley’s time in Finland ended with Antti Raanta’s day.
It’s a bittersweet moment for the netminder. He was traded to the Rangers after losing his spot to the cheaper backup option of Scott Darling.
Fittingly, the sun set as Raanta lifted the Cup, wearing his Blackhawks sweater for likely the last time.
Previous Chronicles of Stanley: Baseball, babies, and Blackhawks; Kane returns to Margaritaville | Players’ days start, Scott Darling and dad get inked | Jonathan Toews gives kids best day ever in The ‘Peg | Corey Crawford and the man with the Blackhawks tattoo (on his head)
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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter!
