### Finland's President Celebrates Country's Hockey Heritage at NHL Global Series

TAMPERE, Finland -- Finland's President, Alexander Stubb, proudly embraced his nation's passion for ice hockey as he attended the 2024 NHL Global Series Finland at Nokia Arena. Returning from a diplomatic mission to China, Stubb quickly made his way to witness the Florida Panthers clash with the Dallas Stars, where the Panthers secured a 4-2 victory. This event marked the 11th NHL regular-season game hosted in Finland, with four games played in Tampere.

Talking to NHL.com, Stubb likened the excitement of these games to that of the NFL's Super Bowl, emphasizing the significance of having star Finnish players on the ice. "We are a hockey-crazy nation," Stubb affirmed, underscoring the pride and enthusiasm shared by fans across the country.

The matchup featured prominent Finnish talent, with the Panthers' roster including captain Aleksander Barkov, Anton Lundell, Eetu Luostarinen, and Niko Mikkola. The Stars boasted their own Finnish stars: Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Esa Lindell. Barkov, a native of Tampere, drew particular attention with his stellar performance, scoring one goal and providing three assists in the Panthers' previous 6-4 win against Dallas.

Reflecting on Barkov's impact, Stubb noted the pride Tampere felt seeing one of its own excel. "You know, Finns don't always show their emotions, but you could see that Sasha was quite emotional yesterday," he remarked.

Stubb’s connection to hockey runs deep, owing largely to his father, Goran Stubb, who served as the NHL Director of European Scouting for 40 years until his retirement in 2023. Goran Stubb's legacy was celebrated on Saturday, with the president joined by his 89-year-old father and brother Nicolas in honoring the scouts and players who have significantly contributed to Finnish hockey. The Stubb family's contributions were further highlighted during a July dinner where Alexander Stubb celebrated Barkov and other Finnish players from the Panthers' Stanley Cup-winning team.

In addition to the hockey festivities, Alexander Stubb attended a ceremony at Tampere City Hall to honor Jari Kurri with the Borje Salming Courage Award. The award is given annually by the NHL Alumni Association to a Europe-born NHL player who has positively influenced their community, embodying Salming’s legacy of courage and dedication both on and off the ice.

The president's devotion to hockey was also evident as he proudly mentioned his father's scouting achievements, acknowledging the vital role Goran Stubb played in bringing numerous Finnish talents into the NHL. "It's a family thing," said Stubb, capturing the sentiment shared by many Finnish families whose lives revolve around the sport.

After the game, Barkov expressed his honor in having the president visit the locker room. "We usually see him when we win, so that's a good thing and a big honor," Barkov said. "He loves hockey more than anything, and it was a big honor to see him in our locker room for sure."