CHICAGO — Teuvo Teravainen has emerged as a stabilizing force for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks during his return to the team this season. His influence has not gone unnoticed by his teammates, especially Jason Dickinson, who plays alongside him.
“I feel I try to bring a level of calmness out there, but he brings another level that once he gets it, I’m like ‘Ah, OK, he’ll make a play. We’ll be OK,’” Dickinson mentioned, highlighting the effect Teravainen has on the ice.
Despite a slow beginning to the season, Teravainen has shown significant improvement over the past month. The 30-year-old winger has registered four goals and 16 assists in his last 16 games, including two assists in the Blackhawks’ surprising 5-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
Looking ahead, Teravainen is set to face his former team, the Carolina Hurricanes, on Monday night. The Finnish player, who recently earned a place on Finland’s roster for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, signed a three-year contract worth $16.2 million with the Blackhawks after spending eight seasons with Carolina.
Reflecting on his time with the Hurricanes, Teravainen stated, “Just a lot of good memories. We had the same group of guys there for a long time, so I got to know them really well. There were a lot of Finns over there at the time, too, so it was fun.”
Once regarded as one of Chicago’s top prospects, Teravainen was selected in the first round of the 2012 draft and made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2014. He contributed to the team’s 2015 Stanley Cup victory but was traded to Carolina in June 2016 as part of a deal that also involved Bryan Bickell’s contract.
In Carolina, Teravainen developed into a key forward thanks to the team’s fast-paced style. He achieved a career-high 25 goals and 28 assists in his final season with the Hurricanes and recorded a personal best of 55 assists during the 2018-2019 season.
“He was a great Hurricane for us,” praised Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “I think the skill level, he’s one of the more talented players. Whatever the situation you put him in, he’s probably the smartest guy out there.”
Throughout his twelve NHL seasons, Teravainen has participated in the playoffs eight times, yet he hasn’t returned to the Stanley Cup since his rookie year. The Hurricanes reached the Eastern Conference Final in 2019 and 2023 but could not advance further.
Describing the Hurricanes, Teravainen called them “a high-pressure team,” which focuses on forcing their opponents into mistakes. “Whenever they get those turnovers, they’re going to make you pay. When you do it over and over, it’s going to be tough to play against,” he explained.
Initially, Teravainen faced challenges during his second stint with the Blackhawks, mustering only three goals and three assists over his first 25 games. However, he has recently hit his stride, thanks in part to playing alongside Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev.
“With this line, we’ve been playing some really good games,” he said. “I feel like we’re finding some tough matchups, but we’re doing a pretty good job against the top lines.”
Despite Teravainen’s resurgence, the Blackhawks are heading toward another tough season, with a record of 7-16-1 over their last 24 games before the upcoming match against Carolina.
Teravainen’s contributions, however, extend beyond statistics. “His poise stands out. He can handle pressure very well,” noted interim coach Anders Sorensen. “He’s assertive and knows where the pressure’s coming from, allowing him to control the puck in those situations. He sets a good example for young players on how to manage pressure.”
