Carolina Hurricanes‘ 5th year Finnish-born left wing Aleksi Saarela(7) received a 1st NHL emergency recall for game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after posting a career high and team leading 30 goals and 24 assists for 54 points in 69 AHL games for affiliate Charlotte Checkers.
In his debut he skated 15 shifts for 9:10 of total ice with 1 hit and 1 giveaway in a 6-0 drubbing.
The 5’10” 200 lbs. speedy forward with good hands was reassigned back to the minors to help the farm club in their first round Calder Cup series.
Originally a New York Rangers‘ 3rd round pick in the 2015 draft (#89 overall) he was traded as he was putting up his best numbers back home.
He started his pro career with three years of Liiga playing two campaigns for Assat, then a season on loan to Lukko. after playing all of his junior hockey in Finland.
The 22-year old is signed to a three year entry level deal.
He’s under contract through 2019/2020.