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Finland Strikes Back: Jakub Petruzalek Leaves For Europe

The Carolina Hurricanes have found lightning in a bottle with Finnish-born talent the past 15 or so months. Tuomo Ruutu, Joni Pitkanen and Jussi Jokinen have established themselves as key pieces to the Canes' attack and found a comfort zone in the Triangle. But Finland has come calling — not for any of the aforementioned, but rather free agent prospect Jakub Petruzalek. The Czech-born winger, who played two games with Carolina last season, has decided to leave North America for Lukko Rauma of SM-Liiga, the top league in Finland.

Star-divide

Petruzalek tied Jerome Samson for the team-lead in points last season in Albany, scoring 19 goals and 35 assists for 54 points in 77 games. But more importantly, his hustle and determination translated to the NHL in his brief audition. In more than 16 minutes of ice time — including some power play and penalty kill time — in two games, Petruzalek got his first career assist and was plus-1. 


GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2008 - Jakub Petruzalek 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0

But while his contributions in Raleigh seem minimal, Petruzlek is still just 24 and could have been been one of Carolina's go-to call-ups in 2009-10 (along with recently re-signed journeyman Michael Ryan) if he had re-signed with the Hurricanes. 

Instead, he's off to Finland. Hopefully the country is as friendly to Jakub its three natives have been to the Hurricanes ... and hopefully Carolina can fill the hole vacated by Petruzalek's departure.

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That stinks, I kinda liked him. I can see why he left, though.

by Caniac1026 on Jul 8, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions  

The way this is going, Jussi will finnish (should I say Finnish) his career here in Raleigh and become Canes recruiting ambassador to Finnland. We can keep this 2-way corridor flowing for a couple generations of great hockey.

Heck – wouldn’t surprise me to see Jakub come back to the Canes after a couple years of experience in the Finnish leagues. Didn’t we just draft some youngsters out of there?

Stranger re-unions have happened at the RBC (in very recent memory).

Hakkaa Paalle!

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 8, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions  

i saw this coming a mile away. was a fun kid to watch. Good luck in finland

by Blacklisted on Jul 8, 2009 9:21 AM EDT reply actions  

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Carolina Hurricanes Roster

# Pos. DOB W H
Bryan Allen 5 D 8/21/1980 226 6-5
Brian Boucher 33 G 1/2/1977 200 6-2
Drayson Bowman 21 C 3/8/1989 190 6-1
Tim Brent 37 C 3/10/1984 188 6-0
Patrick Dwyer 39 RW 6/22/1983 175 5-11
Justin Faulk 28 D 3/20/1992 205 6-0
Tim Gleason 6 D 1/29/1983 217 6-0
Jay Harrison 44 D 11/3/1982 211 6-4
Jussi Jokinen 36 LW 4/1/1983 198 5-11
Derek Joslin 27 D 3/17/1987 210 6-1
Chad LaRose 59 LW 3/27/1982 181 5-10
Jamie McBain 4 D 2/25/1988 200 6-2
Riley Nash 20 C 5/9/1989 191 6-1
Andreas Nodl 14 RW 2/28/1987 196 6-1
Justin Peters 60 G 8/30/1986 205 6-1
Joni Pitkanen 25 D 9/19/1983 210 6-3
Tuomo Ruutu 15 LW 2/16/1983 200 6-0
Jeff Skinner 53 RW 5/16/1992 193 5-11
Jaroslav Spacek 8 D 2/11/1974 210 6-0
Eric Staal 12 C 10/29/1984 205 6-4
Anthony Stewart 13 C 1/5/1985 230 6-3
Brandon Sutter 16 C 2/14/1989 183 6-3
Jiri Tlusty 19 C 3/16/1988 209 6-0
Cam Ward 30 G 2/29/1984 185 6-1

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