Sebastian Aho, Mikko Rantanen, Seth Jarvis, and Jaccob Slavin are set to extend their hockey season by competing in the highly anticipated 4 Nations Face-Off next week. Meanwhile, Andrei Svechnikov is heading to the Bahamas to rest and recover, as several of his Carolina Hurricanes teammates also take advantage of the break to escape to warm, sunny destinations.
The Hurricanes will pause their NHL schedule for two weeks to accommodate the international showcase, coming after a grueling stretch of 56 games. The relentless pace has taken its toll, with several players battling recent illnesses. Despite the much-needed rest, the Canes remain focused on their ultimate goal—playing deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs in June.
With the time off, would players rather represent their countries or take the break? For Jarvis, who will play for Team Canada, the answer is clear. “Hopefully, I’ll play a hundred or so games this year,” he said. “I don’t care about rest. This is something I’d never pass up—the chance to represent my country.”
Jarvis is eager to don the Maple Leaf jersey, calling the experience “super special.” He recalled getting emotional when informing his family of his selection and joked about facing off against Aho, quipping, “I’ll kill Fishy.”
The 4 Nations Face-Off, featuring Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States, will take place in Montreal and Boston starting February 12, with the championship game set for February 20 at TD Garden in Boston. Canada and Sweden will open the tournament in Montreal, followed by Finland versus Team USA the next day at the Bell Centre.
Aho and Rantanen, two of the first six players named to Team Finland, have quickly become NHL teammates following a trade between the Hurricanes and the Colorado Avalanche. They will also serve as alternate captains for Finland. Rantanen, eager for the challenge, emphasized the significance of the event. “It’s a best-on-best tournament, and it’s always an honor to play for Team Finland. For the new generation, we haven’t had a tournament like this since 2016, so there will be a lot of fresh faces, which is great.”
The last major international event of this scale was the 2016 World Cup in Toronto, held just before the NHL season. That tournament included teams from Czechia, Russia, and even hybrid squads like Team Europe and Team North America. Aho, then 19, played for Finland alongside Teuvo Teravainen, who is also on this year’s 4 Nations roster. Canada won gold in 2016, with Sidney Crosby earning MVP honors.
Beyond its immediate excitement, the 4 Nations Face-Off may influence roster selections for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, where NHL players will compete for the first time since Sochi 2014. Rantanen sees this as a valuable warm-up. “This could be a good way to prepare for next year, getting used to an extended break and high-level competition.”
Due to IIHF sanctions, Russia and Belarus remain banned from international competition in 2025-26, though the International Olympic Committee may reconsider their status for the Olympics. This ruling impacts players like the Hurricanes’ Svechnikov, Dmitry Orlov, and Pyotr Kochetkov. Svechnikov, while understanding of the situation, expressed his disappointment. “As a Russian player, I always want to compete in the World Cup or Olympics. I’d love to be in the 4 Nations representing Russia, but it is what it is.”
Svechnikov also acknowledged the intense NHL schedule, particularly in January. “It’s been tough, and this break will be huge for us to step away, clear our minds, and reset.”
The Hurricanes will resume their season on February 22 in Toronto, followed by a home game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 27.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour has mixed feelings about the 4 Nations tournament. While he acknowledges the risk of injury, he understands the pride and excitement of international play. “It’s a big deal, and it breaks up the routine of the season, adding some excitement when things start to feel repetitive.”
Slavin, the Hurricanes’ ice-time leader, admitted a break would be beneficial but couldn’t pass up the chance to represent Team USA. “It’s a unique opportunity. These don’t come around often, so giving up 10 or 12 days is worth it. Hopefully, I’ll be playing until the final.” When asked about facing Aho, Rantanen, and Jarvis, he grinned. “It’ll be fun. We’re going to have a great time out there.”
4 Nations Face-Off Schedule:
Montreal, Bell Centre
- Wednesday, Feb. 12 – Canada vs. Sweden, 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 13 – USA vs. Finland, 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 15 – Finland vs. Sweden, 1 p.m. / USA vs. Canada, 8 p.m.
Boston, TD Garden
- Monday, Feb. 17 – Canada vs. Finland, 1 p.m. / Sweden vs. USA, 8 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 20 – Championship Game, 8 p.m.
Tournament Format:
Each team plays three round-robin games. Teams earn three points for a regulation win, two for an overtime/shootout win, and one for an overtime/shootout loss. The two teams with the highest points will advance to the championship game.
