Hockey people are widely agreed that Finland basically has the best individual player in the World Hockey Championships. She is Mikko Rantanenthe 26-year-old NHL superstar of the Colorado Avalanche.
However, for some reason, Rantanen is not as followed an athlete in Finland as one might guess based on his achievements.
According to an estimate published in March by sports marketing company 10.fin, Rantanen is only the 19th most commercially interesting athlete in Finland. Above are, among others, Frisbee golfers Niklas Anttila (16) and Väinö Mäkelä (11) and track and field athletes Mary Huntington (15) and Lotta Harala (12).
On the same list Patrick Laine was in fifth place and at the top Kerttu Niskanen.
Also in the lists of the most popular Finnish athletes made by Sponsor Insight, Rantanen has been conspicuous by his absence.
Based on Rantanen’s achievements, you could bet that the man’s every move would be followed in Finland unreservedly and he would appear in “milk commercials” every now and then.
The TPS student born in Nousiain is a Stanley Cup winner and did a trick in the NHL this season, which was the last Finn to do Jari Kurri and Teemu Selänne, i.e. broke the 50-goal barrier. A few years ago, Patrik Laineta was expected to be the next person to cross the 50 goal mark.
Rantanen’s gross salary is 9.25 million dollars per year.
What makes Mikko Rantase such a good player? Why can’t you see Rantse’s insane point production in the Lions’ shirt? Watch the interview with IL hockey expert Pekka Virra in the video above.
Mikko Rantanen is Finland’s best ice hockey player. Jussi Eskola