Aho One of First Six Players Named to Team Finland for NHL 4 Nations Face-Off

This morning, Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho was selected by the Finnish Ice Hockey Association to represent Team Finland in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off next year.

Aho’s selection is no surprise to anyone across the league. Aho represented Finland during NHL Gary Bettman’s announcement of the tournament in February 2024. Aho was joined by Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, representing Canada, Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, representing the United States, and Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson, representing Sweden.

This morning’s announcement is special because he earned the distinction as one of the first six players named to the team.

Aho will join Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov, Dallas Stars defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, and Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros.

The NHL 4 Nations Face-Off will be the seventh time Aho has represented Finland in major international tournaments. Aho was on Team Finland for the 2015 and 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships, the 2016, 2017, and 2018 IIHF World Championships, and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

From the NHL:

The 4 Nations Face-Off will be a round-robin tournament featuring teams comprised of NHL players from the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland… Each team at the 4 Nations Face-Off will be comprised of 23 NHL players (20 skaters, three goalies) selected by each national association: Hockey Canada, Finnish Ice Hockey Association, Swedish Ice Hockey Association and USA Hockey… Montreal and Boston serve as host cities and will be held February 12–20, 2025, at the Bell Centre and at TD Garden.