Diehard NHL fans of the mid-aughts might remember the name Teemu Hartikainen.
The 32-year-old forward was the 163rd overall pick of the 2008 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers and spent the next few years going back-and-forth between Edmonton and their Oklahoma City affiliate.
In all, Hartikainen played 52 games in the NHL, scoring six goals with seven assists before returning overseas to play in the KHL—though he has won two gold medals at the Olympics and World Championships with Finland.
That lack of production on the NHL stage will no longer be Hartikainen legacy. Not after what he nearly pulled off this weekend with Finland’s national team in a Euro Hockey Tour matchup against Sweden.
After the contest went to a shootout, Hartikainen took the ice and put a dazzling spin on the lacrosse move that features an absurd amount of wrist strength and coordination.
Sweden’s goalie had no chance—and yet Hartikainen couldn’t put the puck past him.
Teemu Hartikainen 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1BDEgU1cgg
— Robin Söderlund (@RobinSoderlund) December 17, 2022
Goodness. That’s the hockey version of “down low, too slow”. The rare shootout attempt that impresses regardless of whether or not he scored.
The way Hartikainen pulls the puck back with one hand while scooping it up off the ice is just beyond belief. The physics of it all barely make sense.
And while Finland lost the shootout (and the game, 4-3), all anyone cares about is what Hartikainen dared to attempt.
Hockey fans were stunned
So, Teemu Hartikainen nearly made an insane shootout goal.
Also, despite the puck clearly being in a backwards motion, it may have actually counted due to it being a lacrosse-style play, but I am not so sure on that bit myself. https://t.co/6pX2Sdk9bd
— Ginge MNL (@GingeMNL) December 17, 2022
Oilers legend Teemu Hartikainen https://t.co/ZK4iwZ5Rtm
— Matt Lichtenstadter (@MattsMusings1) December 17, 2022
I have never seen this before.
Wow. He almost pulled it off.
Is that former #Oilers player Teemu Hartikainen?
pic.twitter.com/4wK2mYK22A— Paul Almeida (@AzorcanGlobal) December 17, 2022
Talk about a blast from the past. I remember calling @TexasStars games against Teemu Hartikainen when he played for the Oklahoma City Barons (Oilers AHL affiliate). @CarterBaum @TheChrisWescott https://t.co/FIqnPb0Z8z
— Owen Newkirk (@OwenNewkirk) December 17, 2022
Teemu Hartikainen with an absolutely wild shootout attempt 😲
(🎥: @Trekronorse) pic.twitter.com/Is5cji8xjK
— BarDown (@BarDown) December 17, 2022
