Aho's Impact In Raleigh Through Seven Seasons

RALEIGH, NC. -From a fresh-faced 19-year-old making his NHL debut in Winnipeg to becoming one of the fiercest competitors in the game, Sebastian Aho has blossomed right in front of the eyes of Carolina Hurricanes fans.

A second-day draft pick in 2015, some "experts" called the selection of the Finnish forward a reach.

I wonder how those folks are feeling today.

What more could you ask for out of #20 to this point in his career?

Yes, of course, there's the elephant in the room of lifting the Stanley Cup, but that weight does not fall solely on his shoulders. He's already become the franchise's all-time leader in goals (23), assists (35), and points (58) in postseason play.

He's the team's invariable number-one center, continuously growing defensively while flirting with the point-per-game pace through his first 520 NHL contests.

Loved by his teammates and coaches, as well as a model representation of the organization off the ice, it's an exciting day for the organization to have Aho locked up for the next nine seasons.

"He epitomizes what we're about," Rod Brind'Amour said ahead of #20's 500th career NHL game in March. "When we talk about being a Carolina Hurricane and the things that we stress, (he is those things.)"

Developing into a leader despite being just 26 years of age, owner Tom Dundon has gone as far as to say that "this is his team now" in regard to Aho earlier this summer. Serving as an alternate captain for the past two seasons, it's not hard to envision a world where the Rauma, Finland product serves as the successor to Jordan Staal when the current locker room leader's playing days come to an end.

While today brings great excitement to know that Aho will remain a fabric of the team for nearly the next decade, it's just as much a day to celebrate what he's already accomplished.

In addition to his playoff totals, Aho's nine overtime goals are already a franchise record.

Passing Jeff O'Neill in January 2022, his 200-foot game has played a role in Carolina stacking 31 wins during three-on-three play over the past five seasons.

When it comes to being shorthanded, nobody that's ever put on a Canes sweater has found a way to turn it into more offense.

With a franchise record of 22 points while down a man, Aho's ability to transition play up ice forces opposing power plays to have to think about defending as well.

In fact, since Aho entered the league during the 2016-17 season, no skater in the NHL has more shorthanded goals (16).

Although it's up for debate if #20's entire skillset receives the national recognition it should, he has represented Carolina at the league's All-Star event twice thus far (2019 & 2022).

Ask his teammates and they'll tell you that his playmaking abilities are perhaps his best on-ice attribute, but he showcased his pinpoint shot in 2022, winning the Accuracy Shooting challenge at the skills competition.

The above examples are just some of what makes the player such a special talent.

But again, it goes beyond just what you see when the sweater is on.

"He's a great person and he works extremely hard," Brind'Amour continued. "He's very competitive. We always talk about him hating to lose more than he likes to win. That's a real important quality to have... He does it right on and off the ice and we're very lucky to have him."

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