Hei Dallas: Expanding the Finnish Mafia
Few things in life are inevitable: death, taxes, and the Dallas Stars adding Finnish players to their roster.
Dallas general manager Jim Nill has his team as one of the premier spots for guys from Finland to be stars in the league.
Seeing the advantages of having many players from one foreign country play and compete together, from culture to familiarity and comradery.
Lindell is the OG
PHOTO: Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
Before the waves of the current Finnish Mafia on today’s, Esa Lindell was already established in Dallas. After one full season with the Texas Stars in 2016, Lindell became a regular in Dallas the following year. Lindell is also currently the third longest-tenured Star. Only Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin have been in Dallas longer.
Defensive defensemen seem to have become a lost art in today’s NHL. Offense and finesse-driven play get the accolades, particularly among defensemen. For Lindell, his strong suit on the blue line is doing the dirty work.
While Lindell can score (in particular, empty net goals from nearly 200 feet out), Lindell is best known for shot blocking, penalty killing, and clearing the defensive zone. He’s a favorite amongst anyone who’s ever coached him in Dallas.
The Finnish Wave
For the Stars establishing a strong presence on the ice of guys from Finland, it was the 2018/2019 season that especially gave the Stars this reputation. Roope Hintz played his first full NHL season that year. Coming off a full year in the AHL and leading the Texas Stars to a Calder Cup finals appearance in 2018. Miro Heiskanen, drafted third overall in 2017, leapfrogged the American Hockey League and started playing in Dallas six years ago.
Year after year, we see somebody from Finland making waves in Dallas or Austin. Whether it’s a rookie in the minors or the Stars making a trade for well-respected veteran Mikael Granlund with the San Jose Sharks.
More Fins On the Waay
Down in Cedar Park, Texas, center Arttu Hyry ranks amongst the top five in goals and points for the minor league squad. Hyry made his NHL debut on Thursday, January 2nd, against the Ottawa Senators. A goal-scoring Fin seems like a future natural fit for the 23-year-old.
To nobody’s surprise, Dallas also has an 18-year-old prospect who could be the next member of the Finnish Mafia. Emil Hemming, a right winger, was drafted 29th overall in last year’s draft. Scoring a goal in the world juniors this year, Hemming performed well under the lights when he had the opportunity. The best thing the scouts can ask for is positive results in any tournament.
Lehtinen was The First Finnish Star
The Minnesota North Stars/Dallas team has seen 31 guys from Finland in franchise history play for them. During the 90s, a guy by the name of Jere Lehtinen. One of the best defensive forwards the NHL has ever seen. He won the Selke trophy three times for his ability to play that 200-foot game.
For Stars fans, winning the Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999 and spent his whole 14-year NHL career with the Stars. Playing more than 800 games in Dallas. Another player for Dallas will never wear his jersey number 26 since it’s been retired by the team.
With the IIHF already inducted Lehtinen into their Hall of Fame, there’s one more institution missing the Finnish great from their club. Hopefully, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto will one day enshrine him after a long wait, as they did with his old Russian teammate, Sergei Zubov.
In the future, we could see one or two more Fins on the current roster having a jersey retirement of their own.
PHOTO: Jerome Miron/Imagn Images
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Categorized:Stars Unique Column