My idol: Teravainen on Teemu Selanne

Posted April 23, 2016 1:00 am

John Dietz

During the NHL playoffs, we're asking some Blackhawks to tell us which player they grew up idolizing. We'll share their story on each game day.

Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen said his favorite player to watch growing up was fellow countryman Teemu Selanne, who played in the NHL from 1992-2014.

Selanne retired at 43, having scored 684 goals (11th all-time) and compiling 1,457 points in 1,451 games.

"He was the top guy in Finland and everybody really looked up to him," Teravainen said. "His rookie year was unbelievable (as well as) his whole career. He got one Stanley Cup too."

Selanne, who won the Cup with Anaheim in 2007, obliterated the NHL record for goals by a rookie with 76 in 1992-93 with Winnipeg. That total also tied for the league lead that season. The previous rookie record for goals was 53 by Mike Bossy.

Selanne was the leading goal-scorer two other times - in 1997-98 with 52 and 1999-2000 with 47.

Teravainen said he had the opportunity to meet Selanne last summer in a tennis tournament in the Helsinki area.

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