Kaapo Kakkos resurgent season giving him chance to shine on international stage

BUFFALO — Kaapo Kakko has already made history on the international level in his hockey career. The 23-year-old Finn was the youngest player in hockey history to win gold in all three IIHF World Championship tournaments, beginning with the World U18 Championships in 2018 before he won it all at the World Junior Championships and the World Championships in 2019 at the age of 17. There will now be an opportunity to add more to Kakko’s legacy with Team Finland after the Rangers forward competes in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament from Feb.12-20, 2025. “I was happy,” Kakko told The Post a couple days after the final rosters were announced.

“I think it’s always fun.Those being World Championship games, it’s a little different.

It’s a big thing in Finland every time.In Finland, it’s the biggest thing of the year.

All the countries are excited for those games.I would be also if I was watching, but even better to play out there.” As with most of the final roster decisions for the three other countries — the United States, Canada and Sweden — play through the first two months of the NHL season factored in.

Kakko went from not being included on most roster projections for Finland this summer to making the cut after his strong bottom-six play for the Blueshirts this season. In the midst of his sixth season in New York, after the Rangers drafted him second overall in 2019, Kakko has seemingly come to terms with his role.It isn’t the top-six spot he and the Blueshirts envisioned for him when he first arrived in the NHL, but he’s become a crucial part of a very effective third line. For Kakko to get some recognition at this level, however, it was certainly a notable moment for him. “That’s the best team you can make for all Finnish players so,” said Kakko, who carried 14 points into Wednesday night’s matchup with the Sabres.

“I would say I didn’t think about it too much, you know, I think all the players are going to ma...