Major update on Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen's legal battle in Finland
Photo credit: Sweden Herald
The Dallas Stars hoped Mikko Rantanen's arrival would bring nothing but excitement on the ice this fall, but the Finnish forward is already making headlines for reasons far from hockey.
According to reports from Ilta Sanomat and Iltalehti, Rantanen is now facing prosecution in Finland for what prosecutors are calling an «unauthorized absence» from mandatory military service.
The issue stems from a deferment request he submitted late, even though the request was ultimately approved.
Prosecutors, however, still argue he missed his initial reporting date and want him fined heavily.
Mikko Rantanen faces military service case and denies wrongdoing
Rantanen, 28, was due to begin service with the Guard Jaeger Regiment on April 15, 2024.
He missed that deadline and filed a postponement request on April 16, one day late.
While the deferment was approved, Finnish prosecutors insist that even a single missed day counts as unauthorized absence.
While the deferment was approved, Finnish prosecutors insist that even a single missed day counts as unauthorized absence.
«The Dallas Stars forward applied for and received a deferment within hours of the time he was supposed to report for duty,» explained his agent Matti Huhtamäki.
For this reason, Rantanen and his camp deny any wrongdoing.
The penalty prosecutors are seeking is severe. They want a fine equal to 10-15 days of salary, which could total nearly €84,750 (about $98,700 USD).
Rantanen even began service briefly earlier this summer but was later released due to health-related reasons.
His case will now go before a Finnish court, where the final decision will be made.
This puts Rantanen in an unusual spotlight, especially as he begins his first full season with Dallas after the trade that brought him from Colorado.
I believe this could become a distraction, but if handled quickly, it may simply be a bump in the road for one of the NHL's elite forwards.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 21 | 31 ANSWERS Major update on Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen's legal battle in Finland Do you think Mikko Rantanen's legal case in Finland will distract him during his first full season with the Dallas Stars? | ||
| Yes | 5 | 16.1 % |
| No | 26 | 83.9 % |
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