Career Timeline of Mikko Rantanen: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Mikko Rantanen, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mikko Rantanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Dallas Stars in the NHL. Drafted 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2015, he began his NHL career that same year. He won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022. Following a brief stint with the Carolina Hurricanes, Rantanen signed an eight-year contract with the Dallas Stars in 2025.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1944: Doug Bentley Hat Tricks

On 7 May, Rantanen became the third player in NHL history to score a hat trick in two consecutive playoff games, after Doug Bentley in 1944 and Jari Kurri in 1985.

1985: Jari Kurri Hat Tricks

On 7 May, Rantanen became the third player in NHL history to score a hat trick in two consecutive playoff games, after Doug Bentley in 1944 and Jari Kurri in 1985.

November 2005: Joe Thornton Trade

Sports analysts compared the trade to the November 2005 trade when Joe Thornton was traded from the Boston Bruins to the San Jose Sharks.

2012: SM-liiga Debut

In 2012, Rantanen, at age 16, made his professional Finnish SM-liiga debut with HC TPS.

2013: World U-17 Hockey Challenge

In 2013, Rantanen was selected for the Finnish national junior under-16 program and participated at the 2013 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, scoring seven points in five contests.

October 2014: Signed two-year extension with TPS

On 9 October 2014, Rantanen signed a two-year contract extension with TPS of the Liiga.

2014: IIHF World U18 Championships

In 2014, Rantanen competed in his first full IIHF competition at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships.

June 2015: Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche

On 26 June 2015, Mikko Rantanen was drafted 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche at the 2015 NHL entry draft.

July 2015: Signed entry-level contract with Avalanche

On 13 July 2015, Rantanen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Avalanche.

October 2015: Made NHL debut and assigned to AHL

In October 2015, Rantanen made the Avalanche opening night roster and played his NHL debut on October 8 against the Minnesota Wild. On 22 October 2015, he was assigned to the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL after playing six scoreless games.

October 2015: AHL Debut with San Antonio Rampage

On 24 October 2015, Rantanen made his AHL debut contributing a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Stockton Heat.

2015: Drafted into the NHL

In 2015, Mikko Rantanen was drafted 10th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut that year.

2015: World Junior Championships

In 2015, Rantanen was selected to the 2015 World Junior Championships in Toronto, where he contributed four goals in five games and earned a top-three player on team selection despite a disappointing seventh-place finish.

November 2016: First NHL Goal

On 11 November 2016, Rantanen scored his first NHL goal against the Winnipeg Jets, helping the Avalanche win 3-2 in overtime.

2016: World Junior Championships Gold Medal

In 2016, Rantanen captained the Finnish junior team at the World Junior Championships, helping Finland claim the gold medal and capping his junior career.

February 2017: First NHL Hat Trick

On 8 February 2017, Rantanen recorded his first NHL hat trick in a 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

2017: Breakout Season

During the 2017-18 season, Rantanen had a breakout year, scoring 29 goals and 55 assists for 84 points in 81 games.

December 2018: Impressive Pace

By December 2018, Rantanen had earned 50 points and was on pace to score the most points by any player since the 2004-05 lockout.

2018: Stanley Cup Playoffs Appearance

In 2018, the Avalanche qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs as a wild card team. Rantanen had four assists, but the team was eliminated in six games by the Nashville Predators.

September 2019: Signed Contract Extension with the Avalanche

On 28 September 2019, Rantanen signed a six-year, $55.5 million contract extension with the Avalanche.

June 2022: Won Stanley Cup

On 26 June 2022, the Colorado Avalanche, including Rantanen, won the Stanley Cup by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2022: Won Stanley Cup

In 2022, Rantanen won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche.

2024: Contract Extension Impasse

In the 2024-25 season, Rantanen and the Avalanche hit an impasse regarding contract extensions due to salary disagreements.

January 2025: Traded to Carolina Hurricanes

On 24 January 2025, Rantanen was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in a three-team deal.

November 2025: Suspension

On 23 November 2025, Rantanen was suspended for one game, the first suspension of his career, due to game misconduct penalties.

2025: Signed with Dallas Stars

In 2025, following a brief mid-season stint with the Carolina Hurricanes, Rantanen signed an eight year deal with Dallas Stars.

2026: Trade details to Carolina Hurricanes

As part of the sign-and-trade deal to Dallas, the Stars sent Carolina two conditional first-round picks (2026 and 2028; which would defer to the following year if either pick is in the top 10), and two third-round picks (2026 and 2027).

2026: Part of Trade Agreement

As part of the three-team deal that sent Rantanen to Carolina, the Chicago Blackhawks re-acquired their 2025 third-round pick alongside retaining 50% of Rantanen's contract value against their salary cap and Carolina received a 2026 fourth-round pick.