One year ago, Juuso Valimaki wasn't even sure if he'd ever again play in the NHL.

The 27-year-old defenseman was nine months removed from his second career ACL tear and he hadn't seen NHL action since the start of 2025.

Even before the injury, the 2017 first-round picks was being continuously healthy scratched and things looked like they were quickly heading in the wrong direction.

But fast forward to today and Valimaki is on the blueline of the best team in hockey.

"We knew when we got him what he had been going through," said Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour. "Lots of injuries and even last year, he played all year in the minors. Played really well, we just didn't have a spot. Then this year there was an opportunity and he's just taken it. It's nice to see that he's fully back to where he was before and maybe even better. He's really endeared himself to the group and to the coaching staff."

Not only that, but Valimaki also earned the opportunity to play in his home country in front of thousands of Finnish fans and many of his own friends and family as part of the NHL Global Series in Helsinki.

And in Game 1 of the series, Valimaki himself even got on the scoresheet, scoring the Canes' third goal in their 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.

"I don't think it could have really worked out any better than it did for me," Valimaki said. "Obviously we played a really good game and that's kind of the first point of it, but I'm not gonna lie and say that it wasn't cool to score, because it was. Just really, really happy and grateful for it, for sure."

"Really happy for him," Brind'Amour said on Valimaki. "That was special for him to get that goal. He's a big part of what we're doing."

"That's what you want," said forward Nikolaj Ehlers. "You obviously want the two points, but seeing [the Finns] score makes it a little more special. We're happy we were able to get the win for those guys."

It was a storybook moment for the Finnish defenseman and one that reflects all the hard work that he's put in to get back to this level.

Things haven't been easy by any means, but Valimaki has continued to grind away and find ways to keep getting better and to see him rewarded in that way is very special.

"There's been a lot of ups and downs in my career with injuries and kind of a lot of other things going on, but I think last year was finally where I felt like myself again and I was in a really good head space," Valimaki said. "Just trying to play hockey, enjoy it. There's been times where you kind of forget the fun part and for me, at least, when you're having fun and enjoying what you're doing, I think that's when you play your best. Just trying to carry the momentum now and ride that wave."

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