Teemu Selanne is a Great Friend

Teemu Selanne, the 36-year old "Finnish Flash", has long been known as one of the NHL's 'nice guys'. He's genuine, generous, and really looks like he's having a ball on the ice.

His teammates? They love the guy, and hope they can get a cup for their veteran leader.

His friends? They REALLY love the guy, especially after he flew 16 of them, all the way from snowy Finland, to watch him and the Ducks play the Senators in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Teemu Selanne never forgets his friends.

The "Finnish Flash" had his own rooting section Monday for the opener of the Stanley Cup Finals, and those fans were easy to pick out of the crowd.

Dressed in bright orange T-shirts with "Teemu" written across the front, 16 of Selanne's childhood friends cheered him during his first appearance in the Finals in his 14-year NHL career.

Teemu Selanne made a childhood promise to his pals that he would bring them to North America to watch him play if he ever made the Stanley Cup Finals. He even paid for the whole trip, including the beer on the flight!

How many of us have made flippant and extravagant childhood promises, and then forgotten them the next week?

Then again, we shouldn't be surprised at what Selanne did for his pals. This guy once promised to score a hat-trick for a dying friend and send him the puck ... and made good on it!.

See also:
Teemu Hearts Getzlaf More than USA Today
Teemu Selanne, Playing Like a Kid Again