Mikko Rantanen, known primarily for his NHL career, is currently involved in a legal matter in Finland related to his mandatory military service. Prosecutors have accused him of failing to report on time last year and are seeking a fine, while his agent, Matti Huhtamaki, maintains that no intentional violation occurred.
Rantanen began his military service earlier this summer at the Guard Jaeger Regiment’s sports school, but his time there was brief as he was released due to health reasons. Although Huhtamaki confirmed this release during an interview with Wine Virtanen of Iltalehti.fi, he did not disclose how long Rantanen had served.
The crux of the legal dispute, initially reported by Ilta-Sanomat, involves Rantanen’s application to postpone his duty scheduled for April 15, 2024, at 4 p.m. Allegedly, he did not show up on that day because he had not reviewed the notification concerning the start of his service. Though he submitted a request to delay service, the timing did not comply with regulations, prompting the prosecutors‘ case.
The postponement was eventually approved on April 16, but the authorities insist the appeal came too late and are pushing for a penalty equivalent to 10-15 days of Rantanen’s earnings. Huhtamaki disputes the accusation and highlights efforts to resolve the situation promptly.
“There have been mistakes that Mikko has tried to correct as soon as he received the information,”
Huhtamaki said to Iltalehti on Wednesday (Translated from Finnish).
He further stated that they prefer to let the judiciary handle the issue.
“We do not want to comment further on the matter while it is still unfinished (in court),”
Huhtamaki said.
“We will leave it to the court to decide this matter.”
Despite the ongoing military service dispute, Rantanen’s performance on the ice has remained strong. He began the 2024–25 NHL season with the Colorado Avalanche before brief periods with the Carolina Hurricanes and ultimately the Dallas Stars. Over 82 regular-season games, he recorded 32 goals and 56 assists, totaling 88 points, with particularly high output in November and December, achieving 19 and 20 points respectively.
In the playoffs for Dallas, Rantanen was a key offensive contributor, tallying 22 points in 18 games. His notable highlights include a hat trick against Winnipeg and a four-point game versus Colorado, during which he scored another hat trick goal. The Stars’ postseason run ended in the Western Conference finals against Edmonton, but Rantanen demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure.
Mikko Rantanen’s Transition to Dallas Stars and Long-Term Commitment
Rantanen’s NHL path took a significant turn in March when he was traded from the Carolina Hurricanes to the Dallas Stars. Shortly after the trade, the 28-year-old secured his future in Dallas by signing a lengthy eight-year contract worth $96 million.
Reflecting on the trade, Rantanen acknowledged the experience was new and fast-paced. Speaking to NHL.com, he remarked:
“It was the first time I’ve been traded from Colorado and it happened quick.”
He explained that Dallas felt like the right environment both professionally and personally. His decision was made after consultations with his camp and his girlfriend, Susanna.
While Rantanen’s on-ice future appears stable with the Stars, the unresolved legal matter regarding his Finnish military obligations continues to loom. His camp remains confident that the dispute should have been resolved without reaching court, and now awaits an official ruling.