Mikko Rantanen’s journey has come full circle. After nearly playing for a decade with the Colorado Avalanche, he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 24, 2025, but then fate had other plans for him! In case you think he stepped out due to an injury or anything else, you are wrong. Because, after spending about one and a half months with the Hurricanes, he was swiftly shipped off to the Dallas Stars at the 11th hour just before the NHL trade deadline. However, no one saw this coming, and it has been a total whirlwind.

But just like that, Rantanen found himself on the other side of the ice, gearing up to face the team that had once been his home—where he became a fan favorite and helped lift the Stanley Cup. Yes, the Avs! On March 16, Rantanen was at the Ball Arena playing for the Stars, where he received a mixed bag of emotions for being a former Av. The crowd was split, with some appreciating the ex-Avs star player with nostalgia, while others booed him for hitting the ice for the Dallas Stars, who are the Avs’ central division nemesis.

The Avalanche-Stars rivalry was already intense, and this game had something extra to offer to its spectators. A wave of reactions swept through the arena, with some fans cheering, some chanting “Mooooooose,” and some booing! It was complete chaos among the spectators. The Avalanche beat writer Evan Rawal shared this on X by writing, “Some booing, some ‘Mooooooose’ and some cheers for Mikko Rantanen, who looked emotional when they cut to him.” And fans quickly rallied around Rantanen with their love and support.

The stars fought hard to secure a win against the Avs. After all, it was Rantanen’s long-awaited return too, which led fans to experience all the emotions one could expect. But, the stars lost at 3-4. Rantanen’s team score two goals in 20 seconds that tied the game later, and that was amazing, but only until Cale Makar silenced them with the game-winning goal in overtime. “I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. It’s only time you can come back here, for the first time. Very special moment to get the video, and the reception from the fans,” Rantanen said after the match, reflecting back on his return to Colorado after a long time.

But then came the moment that had everyone talking. It was a surreal atmosphere for a player who gave the Avs everything for nearly a decade to play against his own! Well, it’s heartbreaking! Because, this time, it wasn’t about the loss or the score, but for Rantanen, what mattered was home and love from a fanbase that had been a crucial part throughout his career journey. However, even though some booed, a few stood by the star to offer all their love and support after such harsh treatment.

Fans hugged Mikko Rantanen with warm words!

Some fans were outright confused by the reaction, asking, “Can literally anyone explain why he got booed by anybody? He did nothing wrong.” While it’s true that many were upset about losing a star player, his departure wasn’t exactly within his control. This sentiment reflected the frustration and confusion surrounding the incident.

Others defended him, pointing to his contributions and the impact he had on the team. “He doesn’t deserve to be booed. I’m glad he got some cheers and Moose chants. The dude helped win us a Cup, and he’s just a genuine good guy,” one fan wrote.

At the same time, some acknowledged the tough reality of the sport while still expressing their disappointment. “Hockey is a business. It sucks, but come on…” This remark underscored the fact that while trades and exits are part of the game, a player’s past efforts and personal integrity should count for something.

Despite the mixed reactions, there was still an outpouring of appreciation from the crowd. “Glad to see the crowd showing some love,” one fan noted, offering a sense of relief that not all reactions were negative. Another supporter echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the lasting impact the player had: “I’m so happy with what he’s achieved with us, and I’m always gonna miss him.”

For some, the booing simply felt undeserved. “SHOULD’VE been no boos,” one fan emphasized, believing that, while frustration is understandable, there’s no need to turn on a player who gave so much to the team. Their message was clear—respect the legacy and appreciate the contributions, rather than tearing them down.