Sebastian Aho

Sebastian Antero Aho (born 26 July 1997) is a Finnish professional ice hockey player and currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Aho formerly played with Oulun Kärpät in the Finnish Liiga. Aho made his professional debut with Oulun Kärpät during the 2013–14 season. Drafted 35th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, he made his NHL debut during the 2016–17 season with the Hurricanes.

Playing career[edit]

Liiga[edit]

Aho made his Liiga debut playing with Oulun Kärpät during the 2013–14 season.^[1]

NHL[edit]

Carolina Hurricanes[edit]

Aho was rated amongst the top 20 European forward skaters eligible for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.^[2][3] In the draft, he was selected in the second round, 35th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes.

On 13 June 2016, Aho signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Carolina.^[4] On 13 October 2016, he made his NHL debut—and recorded his first point, an assist—in the opening game of the 2016–17 season.^[5] On 12 November 2016, he scored his first goal, which was followed by a second goal in a 5–1 win over the Washington Capitals.^[6] On 31 January 2017, Aho scored his first career hat-trick in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers.^[7] Consequently, he became the youngest player in Hurricanes/Whalers franchise history to score a hat-trick.^[8]

After the Hurricanes failed to make the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Aho represented Finland at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.^[9]

During the 2018–19 season, Aho passed Ron Francis‘ franchise record for longest season-opening point streak by recording a point in the Hurricanes’ first 12 games, as well as tied an NHL record for recording a point per game from the start of the season.^[10] His streak ended on 3 November in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes.^[11] On 2 January, Aho was selected to participate in the 2019 NHL All-Star Game after leading the team in goals, assists and points through 38 games.^[12] On 13 January 2019, Aho recorded his second career hat-trick in a 6–3 win over the Nashville Predators.^[13] Aho led the Hurricanes in scoring (five goals, seven assists) during their first trip to the playoffs in 10 years in the 2018–19 season.^[14]

On 1 July 2019, Aho signed an offer sheet with the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first player to sign an offer sheet since Ryan O’Reilly in 2013. The contract included a lucrative bonus structure, including $21.7 million within the first 12 months of the contract.^[15][16] On 7 July 2019, the Hurricanes officially matched the offer sheet, re-signing Aho to a five-year, $42.27 million contract, worth an annual average of $8.454 million.^[17]

Career statistics[edit]

Regular season and playoffs[edit]

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013–14	Oulun Kärpät	Liiga		3	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Oulun Kärpät	Liiga		27	4	7	11	10		10	1	2	3	2
2014–15	Ässät	Liiga		3	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Oulun Kärpät	Liiga		45	20	25	45	2		14	4	11	15	8
2016–17	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		82	24	25	49	26		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		78	29	36	65	24		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		82	30	53	83	26		15	5	7	12	2
2019–20	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		68	38	28	66	26		8	3	9	12	4
NHL totals				310	121	142	263	102		23	8	16	24	6

Medal record
Representing  Finland
Ice hockey
World Championships
	2016 Russia
World Junior Championships
	2016 Finland
IIHF World U18 Championship
	2015 Switzerland
European Youth Olympic Winter Festival
	2013 Braşov

International[edit]

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2013	Finland	IH18	5th		4	0	0	0	2
2014	Finland	IH18	5th		4	5	2	7	0
2014	Finland	WJC18	6th		5	2	1	3	4
2015	Finland	WJC18			1	0	1	1	0
2015	Finland	WJC	7th		5	0	0	0	2
2016	Finland	WJC			7	5	9	14	4
2016	Finland	WC			10	3	4	7	4
2016	Finland	WCH	8th		3	0	0	0	0
2017	Finland	WC	4th		10	2	9	11	4
2018	Finland	WC	5th		8	9	9	18	2
Junior totals					26	12	13	25	12
Senior totals					31	14	22	36	10

Awards and honors[edit]

Award	Year
NHL
All-Star Game	2019