Sebastian Aho
Sebastian Aho (born July 26, 1997) is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1] Standing at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and weighing 189 pounds (86 kg), he shoots left and is recognized for his playmaking abilities, two-way game, and leadership on the ice.[1] Aho was selected by the Hurricanes in the second round, 35th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft after developing in Finland's Liiga with Kärpät, where he won a league championship in 2015 by scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of Game 7 of the finals at age 17.[1][2] Aho made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes during the 2016–17 season, recording 49 points (24 goals and 25 assists) in 82 games as a rookie and helping the team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2009.[1] In the 2018–19 season, he established himself as a franchise cornerstone by posting 83 points (30 goals and 53 assists) in 82 games, leading the Hurricanes in scoring and earning his first NHL All-Star selection.[1] He has since led Carolina in points during seven of his first eight full seasons, amassing career totals of 289 goals and 358 assists for 647 points in 693 regular-season games as of November 2025, along with 34 playoff goals—the most in franchise history.[1] In 2023, Aho signed an eight-year, $78 million contract extension with the Hurricanes, carrying an annual average value of $9.75 million and keeping him with the team through the 2031–32 season.[3] His consistent excellence earned him NHL All-Star nods in 2019, 2022, and 2024, as well as the Carolina chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association MVP award for the 2023–24 season, when he set career highs with 36 goals, 53 assists, and 89 points in 78 games.[1][4] Internationally, Aho has represented Finland since his youth, including gold medals at the 2014 and 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships and silver at the 2015 edition.[5] At the senior level, he won MVP honors at the 2016 IIHF World Championship as an 18-year-old with 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in 10 games, and was named Best Forward at the 2018 tournament after leading all players with 9 goals and ranking second with 18 points.[2][6] Aho contributed to Finland's silver medal at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and was selected for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, where he helped secure a bronze medal.[5][1] He has also been named to Finland's preliminary roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.[7]Background
Early life
Sebastian Aho was born on July 26, 1997, in Pori, Finland, though his family relocated to Rauma shortly after his birth, where he was legally registered as his place of origin.[8] Aho grew up in Rauma, a coastal city with a vibrant hockey culture, in a family deeply involved in the sport.[9] His father, Harri Aho, was a professional defenseman who spent much of his career with Oulun Kärpät in Finland's top league, Liiga, and later became the team's general manager.[10] His mother, Leena Aho, supported the family's athletic pursuits, while his older brother Samuli and younger brother Jesperi—both of whom have pursued hockey careers—further immersed the household in the game from an early age.[11][12] This environment fostered Aho's initial passion for ice hockey, as he was surrounded by professional examples and familial encouragement to engage in sports.[13] Aho began playing hockey at a young age through local opportunities in Rauma before transitioning to organized youth programs.[9] His first youth team was Oulun Kärpät, prompting a move to Oulu around his early teens to develop within their junior system.[9] During this period, he navigated the demands of balancing academic responsibilities with intensive hockey training, a common challenge for aspiring players in Finland's competitive youth development pathway.[14]Personal life
Sebastian Aho married his longtime partner, Rosa Aho, in July 2024 during the offseason.[15] The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vivian, on May 2, 2025, shortly before the Carolina Hurricanes resumed their Stanley Cup playoff series.[16] Aho has described the experience of fatherhood as "the best feeling in the world," noting the fortunate timing that allowed him to be present for the birth amid the team's schedule.[17] He spent much of the following summer in Finland bonding with his newborn, highlighting the joys and adjustments of balancing family life with his professional commitments.[18] Since joining the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016, Aho has resided in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he and his wife have established their home. In October 2023, Aho purchased a $3.675 million luxury property in the city's upscale North Hills neighborhood, reflecting his long-term commitment to the area.[19] Initially skeptical about Raleigh as a hockey market upon arriving from Finland in 2016, Aho grew to appreciate the community's passionate support, particularly during the 2019 playoffs, which solidified his sense of belonging. His wife played a key role in his decision to sign an eight-year contract extension with the Hurricanes in 2023, affirming Raleigh as "our place."[20] In his off-ice time, Aho pursues interests including golf, tennis, and fishing, activities that provide relaxation during the demanding NHL season. He maintains strong cultural ties to Finland through participation in community events and support for youth programs back home. In August 2025, Aho joined fellow Finnish NHL players in a charity game benefiting Oulu's children's hospital and the Kärpät junior hockey program, aimed at reducing participation costs for young athletes.[21] While specific involvement in Raleigh-based children's health initiatives remains limited in public records, Aho has expressed appreciation for the team's broader community efforts, echoing themes of resilience and balance in professional sports.[20]Club career
SM-liiga and junior career
Aho joined the Karpat organization at a young age, moving to Oulu to develop in their junior program after beginning his hockey career in his hometown of Rauma.[9] He progressed through the club's youth ranks, showing early promise in the U16 and U18 leagues. In the 2011–12 season, Aho recorded 58 points (26 goals, 32 assists) in 28 games for Karpat U16 in the U16 SM-sarja, helping the team to the playoffs where he added 11 points in eight games. By 2012–13, he advanced to the U18 level, finishing as the fifth-leading scorer in the U18 SM-sarja with 60 points (28 goals, 32 assists) in 38 games.[5] In the 2013–14 season, at age 16, Aho made his SM-liiga debut with Karpat, appearing in three games and earning one assist. He spent the majority of the year with Karpat's U20 team in the U20 SM-liiga, where he dominated as a 16-year-old, tallying 59 points (25 goals, 34 assists) in 44 regular-season games and earning the league's Rookie of the Year honors. In the playoffs, he contributed 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 12 games as Karpat U20 reached the finals. These performances highlighted his rapid development and offensive skill in Finnish junior hockey.[5][22][9] The 2014–15 season marked Aho's transition to full-time professional play, as he suited up for 27 regular-season games with Karpat in the SM-liiga, recording 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists). He also played 10 games for Karpat U20, adding 10 points. In the playoffs, Aho appeared in 10 SM-liiga games, contributing three points (1 goal, 2 assists), and notably scored the overtime winner in Game 7 of the Finnish championship final against Tappara on April 25, 2015, securing Karpat's second consecutive SM-liiga title at age 17. This clutch performance underscored his poise under pressure.[5][22] During the 2015–16 season, Aho established himself as a top SM-liiga performer, leading Karpat with 45 points (20 goals, 25 assists) in 45 regular-season games and ranking among the league's leaders in goals (tied for fourth) and points (ninth overall). In the playoffs, he added 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) in 14 games as Karpat defended their title. His breakout year culminated in being selected 35th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[5][9][1]NHL career
Sebastian Aho signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on June 13, 2016, following a buyout of the remaining year on his contract with Liiga club Karpat.[23] He made his NHL debut on October 13, 2016, against the Winnipeg Jets, recording an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss.[24] In his rookie 2016-17 season, Aho appeared in 82 games, tallying 24 goals and 25 assists for 49 points, contributing to the Hurricanes' rebuilding efforts despite their last-place finish in the Metropolitan Division.[25] The following year, 2017-18, he emerged as a Calder Memorial Trophy contender, finishing with 65 points (29 goals, 36 assists) in 78 games, leading Carolina in scoring and helping the team improve to a playoff spot, though they lost in the first round.[25] Aho's breakout continued in 2018-19, where he posted 83 points (30 goals, 53 assists) in 82 games, anchoring the top line and powering the Hurricanes to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2009, with eight points in 13 playoff games.[1] As a restricted free agent in 2019, he received a five-year, $42.27 million offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens, which the Hurricanes promptly matched on July 1, securing him through the 2023-24 season at an AAV of $8.454 million.[26] Subsequent seasons solidified Aho's status as a franchise cornerstone. In 2022-23, he recorded 67 points (36 goals, 31 assists) in 75 games, leading Carolina in goals and contributing 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 15 playoff games en route to another Eastern Conference Final appearance, where the Hurricanes fell to the Florida Panthers in five games.[1] The 2023-24 campaign saw him achieve a career-high 89 points (36 goals, 53 assists) in 78 games, once again pacing the team offensively.[1] On July 26, 2023, Aho signed an eight-year, $78 million extension with Carolina, carrying an AAV of $9.75 million and running through the 2031-32 season, making it the richest contract in franchise history.[3] Named an alternate captain prior to the 2021-22 season, Aho has worn the "A" consistently since, providing leadership on and off the ice for the Hurricanes' perennial contenders.[27] His playoff impact has been notable across multiple deep runs, including 12 points (5 goals, 7 assists) in 2023 playoffs and a team-leading 12 points in 11 games during the 2024 postseason.[25] In the 2024-25 season, Aho registered 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) in 79 games, maintaining his elite two-way play while helping Carolina secure another playoff berth.[28] As of November 15, 2025, in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, he has accumulated 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 15 games, with no reported injuries disrupting his performance.[29] Aho's participation in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off for Finland in February provided a brief international break, but he returned seamlessly to club duties, with the Hurricanes citing his consistent preparation as key to maintaining team momentum post-tournament.[30]International career
Junior level
Aho made his international junior debut for Finland at the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships in Lappeenranta and Imatra, recording 2 goals and 1 assist in 5 games as the host nation finished fourth after losing the bronze medal game to Canada.[31] He then played in the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships in Toronto, where he recorded 0 points in 5 games as Finland finished fifth.[32] Later that year, Aho returned for the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships in Zug and Lucerne, Switzerland, where he earned 1 assist in his lone appearance as Finland advanced to the final and secured the silver medal with a loss to the United States.[33][34] Aho played a prominent role at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championships in Helsinki, tallying 5 goals and 9 assists in 7 games to help Finland claim gold on home ice with a 4–3 overtime victory against Russia in the championship game. His contributions were instrumental in key playoff wins, including a 2–0 semifinal shutout over the United States and a 4–3 shootout quarterfinal triumph against Switzerland.[35][36] Across these four IIHF junior tournaments, Aho appeared in 18 games, accumulating 7 goals and 11 assists for 18 points. These international outings, alongside his junior performances with Kärpät, enhanced his visibility to NHL scouts and factored into his selection by the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round (35th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.Senior level
Aho made his debut with Finland's senior national team at the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia, where the 18-year-old center recorded 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 10 games, helping the team reach the final and secure the silver medal with a 2–0 loss to Canada.[37] At the 2017 IIHF World Championship in Germany and France, Aho recorded 2 goals and 9 assists for 11 points in 10 games, helping the team secure fourth place after a semifinal loss to Sweden and a bronze medal game defeat to Canada.[38][39] The following year, Aho emerged as a standout at the 2018 IIHF World Championship in Denmark, earning the tournament's best forward award and a spot on the All-Star team after leading all players with 9 goals and tying for the scoring lead with 18 points (9 goals, 9 assists) in just 8 games, despite Finland's quarterfinal exit and sixth-place finish overall.[40][5][41] Aho's commitments with the Carolina Hurricanes during their deep playoff runs prevented his participation in the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where Finland captured gold. He also did not compete at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, as NHL players opted out of the event due to scheduling conflicts amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Aho returned for the 2021 IIHF World Championship in Belarus and Latvia, recording 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points in 10 games to help Finland win silver after a 1–2 overtime loss to Canada in the gold medal game.[5] Returning for the 2023 IIHF World Championship in Latvia and Finland, Aho contributed 9 assists in 8 games, supporting the team's runner-up finish after a gold medal game loss to Canada.[42] Aho served as an alternate captain for Finland at the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, held February 12-20 in Montreal and Boston, where he tallied 2 assists in 3 round-robin games as the team went 1-2, defeating Sweden 4-3 in overtime before losses to the United States (6-1) and Canada (5-3), securing third place overall.[6][5][43] Throughout his senior international career, Aho has appeared in over 60 games for Finland across multiple IIHF tournaments, frequently taking on leadership responsibilities such as alternate captaincy, while prioritizing team success in high-stakes competitions.[5]Career statistics and awards
Regular season and playoffs
Sebastian Aho began his professional career in the Finnish SM-liiga with KalPa, appearing in three games during the 2013–14 season before transitioning to Kärpät for the subsequent years.[5] Over his SM-liiga tenure from 2013 to 2016, Aho accumulated 59 points in 78 regular-season games and 18 points in 24 playoff games, contributing to Kärpät's 2015 Finnish championship win.[5]SM-liiga Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | KalPa | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014–15 | Kärpät | 27 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 8 |
| 2014–15 | Ässät | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | Kärpät | 45 | 20 | 25 | 45 | 2 |
| Total | 78 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 10 |
SM-liiga Playoff Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | Kärpät | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 2015–16 | Kärpät | 14 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 8 |
| Total | 24 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 10 |
NHL Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 24 | 25 | 49 | 26 |
| 2017–18 | Carolina Hurricanes | 78 | 29 | 36 | 65 | 24 |
| 2018–19 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 30 | 53 | 83 | 26 |
| 2019–20 | Carolina Hurricanes | 68 | 38 | 28 | 66 | 26 |
| 2020–21 | Carolina Hurricanes | 56 | 24 | 33 | 57 | 32 |
| 2021–22 | Carolina Hurricanes | 79 | 37 | 44 | 81 | 38 |
| 2022–23 | Carolina Hurricanes | 75 | 36 | 31 | 67 | 42 |
| 2023–24 | Carolina Hurricanes | 78 | 36 | 53 | 89 | 36 |
| 2024–25 | Carolina Hurricanes | 79 | 29 | 45 | 74 | 46 |
| 2025–26 | Carolina Hurricanes | 17 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 4 |
| Total | 694 | 290 | 359 | 649 | 300 |
NHL Playoff Statistics
| Season | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | 15 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 2 |
| 2019–20 | 8 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 4 |
| 2020–21 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 12 |
| 2021–22 | 14 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022–23 | 15 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 12 |
| 2023–24 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 |
| 2024–25 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 8 |
| Total | 89 | 34 | 51 | 85 | 52 |
International play
Sebastian Aho has represented Finland in several major international ice hockey tournaments at the junior and senior levels, showcasing his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities. His performance in these events highlights his contribution to the national team, with notable production in World Junior Championships and World Championships.Junior International Statistics
Aho's junior international career with Finland spanned from 2014 to 2016, primarily in the IIHF U18 World Championships and IIHF World Junior Championships. The following table summarizes his stats in these major tournaments:| Tournament | Year | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U18 Worlds | 2014 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | +2 |
| U18 Worlds | 2015 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| WJC | 2015 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| WJC | 2016 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 | +9 |
| Total | 18 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 10 | +11 |
Senior International Statistics
Aho debuted for the senior Finnish national team in 2016 and continued through 2025, participating in multiple IIHF World Championships, the World Cup of Hockey, and the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. His standout performances include leading the 2018 World Championship in goals. The following table summarizes his stats in these major tournaments:| Tournament | Year | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championship | 2016 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 4 | +4 |
| World Cup of Hockey | 2016 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 |
| World Championship | 2017 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 4 | -2 |
| World Championship | 2018 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 2 | +15 |
| World Championship | 2019 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 2 | +8 |
| 4 Nations Face-Off | 2025 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 |
| Total | 44 | 23 | 35 | 58 | 14 | +23 |