Given the success they’ve experienced in the past handful of seasons, it’s easy to assume the Chicago Blackhawks have it all. And while the Hawks are certainly flush with enviable talent, the team’s championships have come without the benefit of a consistent No. 2 centre to play behind stud pivot Jonathan Toews.
Teuvo Teravainen might be on the verge of changing that.
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Two years after Chicago selected Teravainen 18th overall at the 2012 draft, the skilled Finn has committed to playing in North America, whether that’s with the big club or in the American Hockey League.
“I’m not going to go back,” said Teravainen, who notched two goals in five AHL games last year during a late-season audition that also saw him get three contests with the Blackhawks.
In the past, players like Dave Bolland, Michal Handzus and Andrew Shaw have been asked to punch above their weight by playing second-line roles. All three may be quality contributors in their own respect, but none of them are best suited to a full-time top-six role. The Blackhawks inked 34-year-old Brad Richards to a low-cost, one-year deal this summer in the hopes he can be a productive No. 2 this season. Long term, though, Chicago must be dreaming of a situation where Teravainen—who turns 20 just before training camp—slots in as the perfect secondary threat behind Toews. He may not be ready for that role just yet, but the fact Teravainen can play wing in addition to centre enhances his odds of making the Blackhawks roster this September.
“If I play there, I know I can play with great players, so it makes my game easier,” said Teravainen, who was passing through Toronto this weekend to have his rookie card photo shot by Upper Deck as part of the NHLPA’s Rookie Showcase.
Blackhawks fans have likely had the five-foot-11, 169-pounder on their radar for a while, but most of the hockey world got their first real glimpse of what Teravainen can do when he led the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship in scoring with two goals and 15 points in seven games. In doing so, the Finnish captain helped his squad snag an unexpected gold medal and, in turn, built the momentum needed to turn his own season around.
“I had a little (bit of a) hard time before that tournament,” said Teravainen, who played in Finland’s top league last year. “When the world juniors came I just thought, it’s going to be a new start for me and I’m going to play good. I had a good tournament, my team had a good tournament and my self-confidence went up. After that I was a different man in Finland, too.”
Now he’s bound for an already-stellar NHL team that’s poised to plug one of its few holes if he makes good on his promise.