Teemu Selanne not done, wants to play in KHL next season

Teemu Selanne's farewell tour may continue in Finland next season. (Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated)

By Allan Muir

Teemu Selanne famously announced last summer that he would return for one final season with the Anaheim Ducks.

Apparently that didn't mean he was done with hockey.

A report on a Finnish website says that Selanne is considering playing for his old club team Jokerit next season.

"I think it would be a good experience," Selanne said. "I am ready to go to the KHL and start a new era. [Jokerit] would be a really great scenario. I figured that in this business you can never say 'no'. Going there would be a great adventure."

While he might still have some desire to continue playing after this season ends, it's unlikely that he would have considered the KHL if not for some very specific circumstances. Jokerit is based in Helsinki, but after being purchased by Russian billionaire Gennady Timchenko last year, the club agreed to transfer the KHL in 2014-15.

That means Selanne will not only have a softer schedule and a new boatload of money, he'll get to play half of his games in his hometown, too. Could be a sweet deal for Teemu, and an even better one for fans who aren't quite ready to say goodbye to one of hockey's greatest and most beloved players.

Fans on this side of the pond have at least a few games left to appreciate him. Selanne's Ducks have advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and are waiting for the winner of the San Jose Sharks/Los Angeles Kings series.