He began his professional career with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga and would later become one of the greatest players ever.
We’re, of course, talking about the one and only Teemu Selanne. He earned the nickname ”the Finnish Flash,” and he’s not only the highest-scoring Finn in NHL history but also one of the highest overall.
When he retired, he did it as the 11th-best goal-scorer of all time, with 684 goals. Selanne also ranks 15th all-time in points (1,457) and has his No. 8 retired by the Anaheim Ducks.
Selanne is widely acknowledged as one of the best players of all time, but he was more than just that. He was also a great guy, and there are so many stories out there that prove it.
Selanne had that rare aura around him; he was beloved by his teammates and fans and highly respected by his opponents. Selanne also did so many great things for the community and always took care of his younger teammates.
Andrew Gordon scored a lot of points in the NHL in the late 00s and early 10s, but he had a tough time breaking into the NHL.
He wasn’t sure he would make the team when he signed with the Anaheim Ducks as a free agent after leaving the Washington Capitals’ organization.
He didn’t feel confident enough to walk up and introduce himself to his idol, Teemu Selanne, but it took care of itself.
”But Teemu being Teemu, he came and found me,” Gordon said in a piece for the RMNB.
”He asked me about my sticks, the curve, the flex, how I came up with the pattern and so on … which I’m sure he didn’t care about seeing as he had used the same pattern since dinosaurs roamed the earth. But he showed an interest when he didn’t have to.”
Gordon ended up making the team, but the Ducks were struggling, and so was he. Gordon didn’t score in his first 20-some games, but in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers, he finally ended the drought.
When he came back to the bench, who else but Teemu Selanne was the first one to congratulate him.
But it wouldn’t be Teemu Selanne without a hilarious comment to go with it.
”When I came back to the bench after doing the fly-by, the first guy to give me a pat on the head was Teemu. He grabbed me on my helmet and said, ’Only 640 more till you catch me.’ Then he laughed,” Gordon said.
