Mikko Rantanen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mikko Rantanen
Rantanen at the 2016 AHL All-Star Game
Born	(1996-10-29) 29 October 1996 (age 28) Nousiainen, Finland
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position	Forward
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Carolina Hurricanes TPS Colorado Avalanche
National team	Finland
NHL Draft	10th overall, 2015 Colorado Avalanche
Playing career	2012–present

Mikko Rantanen (born on October 29, 1996) is a professional ice hockey player from Finland. He plays as a forward for the Carolina Hurricanes in the National Hockey League (NHL). Mikko was picked by the Colorado Avalanche as the 10th player overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft. He started playing in the NHL that same year. Rantanen helped the Avalanche win the amazing Stanley Cup in 2022.

Playing Career: Mikko Rantanen's Hockey Journey

Early Days: Starting in Finland

Mikko Rantanen began his professional hockey journey in Finland's top league, called SM-liiga, when he was only 16 years old. He played for HC TPS during the 2012–13 season. Mikko had been with TPS since he was 14, playing in their youth teams. In his first 15 games, he scored two goals and had one assist.

Rantanen in 2016

By the 2014–15 season, Mikko was still only 17, but it was his third year with TPS. He signed a new contract to stay with the team. Mikko used his large size and strong play to score 9 goals and 28 points in 56 games. He even served as an alternate captain for the team. He also played for the TPS junior team in the playoffs, scoring 14 points in 7 games. His great effort helped them win the championship, and he was named the Best Player!

After this season, Mikko was seen as the top European player who could be drafted into the NHL. The Colorado Avalanche picked him tenth overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft on June 26, 2015.

Colorado Avalanche: NHL Debut and Stanley Cup Win

On July 13, 2015, Mikko signed his first three-year contract with the Avalanche. He did so well in training camp and pre-season games that he made the team's main roster for the 2015–16 season at just 18 years old. He played his first NHL game on October 8, 2015. After playing six games without scoring, he was sent to the team's minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, in the American Hockey League (AHL).

In his very first AHL game, Mikko scored a goal and an assist! He kept scoring a lot of points for the Rampage. He was even chosen for the AHL All-Star Game, being one of the youngest players ever to join. He finished the season with 60 points in just 52 games. This made him one of only seven teenagers to reach that many points in the AHL. He was also named to the AHL Second All-Star Team and shared the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award as the league's best rookie.

Rantanen battles for position against Justin Schultz during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On November 11, 2016, Mikko scored his first NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets. Later, on February 8, 2017, he scored his first NHL hat-trick (three goals in one game) in a 4–0 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Mikko had an amazing season in 2017–18. He scored 29 goals and made 55 assists, totaling 84 points in 81 games. Only his teammate Nathan MacKinnon had more points for the Avalanche that year. The team made it to the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Mikko had four assists, but the team was knocked out by the Nashville Predators.

The next season was even better for Mikko. He scored 87 points in 74 games, which was his highest career total. He also led the team in scoring during their playoff run.

On June 26, 2022, a dream came true for Mikko Rantanen. The Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning. This was Mikko's first Stanley Cup championship!

In the 2022–23 season, Mikko Rantanen achieved something special. He became only the third Finnish player ever to score 50 goals in an NHL regular season. The other two were hockey legends Jari Kurri and Teemu Selänne. He was also the third player in Colorado Avalanche history to reach this milestone.

Carolina Hurricanes: A New Team

On January 24, 2025, Mikko Rantanen was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. This trade involved three teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks.

International Play: Representing Finland

Medal record
Representing  Finland
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	2016 Russia
World Junior Championships
Gold	2016 Finland

Mikko Rantanen started playing for Finland's national junior teams when he was very young. He played in the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge and scored seven points in five games. He then led the under-18 team with seven points in four games at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. He also played in his first big international tournament at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships.

Mikko continued to play for the Finnish junior team. He was chosen for the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Toronto. Even though Finland finished in a disappointing seventh place, Mikko scored four goals in five games.

During his first year playing professionally in North America, Mikko was still young enough for the World Junior Championships. The Colorado Avalanche allowed him to go and captain the Finnish junior team as they hosted the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Mikko helped his team a lot, especially in the semi-final against Sweden. He also scored in the final game against Russia. This helped Finland win the gold medal, which was a great way to end his junior career!

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play Statistics

Awards and Honours: Mikko's Achievements