Mikael Granlund
A Finnish playmaking wizard whose dazzling hands and creative genius have produced some of the NHL's most unforgettable highlight-reel goals.
Born 1992 (age 34)·Finnish ice hockey player·Birthday: February 26·Millennials
Biography
Mikael Granlund announced himself to the hockey world not in the NHL, but on the international stage, where his flair and skill became synonymous with Finnish hockey artistry. His lacrosse-style goal at the 2011 World Championships, scooping the puck onto his stick and tucking it behind the net, remains a viral masterpiece. Drafted high by Minnesota, he carried the weight of expectation as a potential franchise center. While his NHL point totals have oscillated, his capacity for the spectacular has never dimmed. A versatile forward who can play center or wing, Granlund has been a sought-after asset for contending teams, bringing a unique offensive dimension to Nashville, Pittsburgh, and beyond. His journey reflects the life of a gifted passer and thinker in a league that often prioritizes power, making every shift a potential display of ingenuity.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mikael was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mikael Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Mikael's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored a famous 'lacrosse-style' or 'Michigan' goal for Finland at the 2011 IIHF World Championship, a moment that went viral globally.
- Recorded a career-high 67 points (13 goals, 54 assists) in the 2016-17 season with the Minnesota Wild.
- Has represented Finland numerous times internationally, winning a World Championship silver medal in 2021.
Did You Know?
His younger brother, Markus Granlund, also played in the NHL for several seasons.
He played professional hockey in Finland's top league, the Liiga, as a teenager for Oulun Kärpät.
He is known for being exceptionally humble and soft-spoken off the ice, in contrast to his flashy on-ice style.
“You must see the play before the pass, and then the hands must be soft.”
