Chicago Blackhawks: Getting To Know Teuvo Teravainen

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Jun 13, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Antoine Vermette (right) celebrates with left wing Teuvo Teravainen (86) after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third period game five of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Teuvo’s 2014-2015 campaign started with Chicago’s AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He expressed frustration with playing in the AHL. It’s was more of a dump and chase style, and the play was much more scattered and unstructured. Teuvo was having a hard time finding scoring chances.

But he stuck with it, and was finally called up to the NHL in January. And then back down. Teuvo was an awkward fit on the third and fourth “checking” lines, and there was too much depth to get him into the top two “scoring” lines. Patrick Kane’s injury is what finally solidified a chance for Teuvo to find his spot in the lineup.

Teuvo spent most of the end of the season and the playoffs on the third line, but I wouldn’t call it a checking line by any means. Playing mostly on the wing alongside Antoine Vermette and Patrick Sharp, Teuvo was able to take advantage of his linemate’s playmaking abilities. On another team, this could easily have been a second line.

Teuvo Teravainen has currently played in 37 regular season games and 18 playoff games in his short NHL career. But the interesting thing is that he’s actually had more points in the playoffs than the regular season. He had 4 goals and had 5 assists during the regular season for a total of 9 points, and 4 goals and 6 assists in the playoffs, for a total of 10 points.

Teuvo seems to be finding his stride at just the right time. He is getting more comfortable and gaining more confidence. “He can see plays, makes plays. You like his patience level when he does have the puck. I think he did settle down in a couple tight situations,” said Quenneville. “I think he’s starting to think shot, which is really going to enhance his game and his scoring as well. I think offensively he’s getting a little bit more comfortable with the puck. I think off of that, it should enhance his game.” It has been hinted by Coach Q that Teuvo could have an opportunity at second line center for next season. Run with it, TT! Show us what you can do!

At 20 years of age, Teuvo Teravainen will have his name on the Stanley Cup. His contributions make him a celebrity here in Chicago and back in his native country of Finland. Upon returning to his home country for the offseason, Teuvo had this to say to reporter Juha Hiitela. “Female fans (in Chicago) are quite horny. They come really close.”

Well Baby TT is still quite naïve and new to the ways of the world in America. Or perhaps it’s a cultural thing. Do people from Finland have a bigger personal bubble? Either way, let’s all just take a step back and let Teuvo Teravainen play hockey. I don’t think we’ll be disappointed.

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