Eric Tulsky, General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, has announced a two-year contract extension for left-wing Juha Jaaska. The agreement outlines that in the 2025-26 season, Jaaska will earn $775,000 at the NHL level or $250,000 at the AHL level, with a minimum guarantee of $425,000. In the second year of the contract, he will receive $775,000 on a one-way deal.
“Juha had a strong season making the transition to hockey in North America and proved he could be an effective player on the NHL level,” said Tulsky.
Jaaska, aged 27 and hailing from Helsinki, Finland, debuted in the NHL on January 2 against Florida. During the 2024-25 regular season with the Hurricanes, he recorded four assists over 18 games. He spent most of his time with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL where he scored 33 points through 12 goals and 21 assists in 53 games and added one goal during two playoff matches.
In his career spanning nine seasons in Liiga with HIFK in Finland, Jaaska accumulated 142 points from 51 goals and 91 assists over 310 games. He also contributed significantly during postseason play with 22 points across his career there. Additionally, he played in Champions Hockey League games tallying four points.
Internationally, Jaaska represented Finland at various championships including winning gold at the IIHF U18 World Championship in 2016.
