Finland: Helsinki Roosters sign GFL sack leader Ethan Hurst for 2026 Season
The Helsinki Roosters have made a major defensive addition for the 2026 Maple League season, signing defensive end Ethan Hurst from Santa Margarita, California, who is coming off a dominant year in Germany.
Coming off a historic season
Hurst arrives in Finland fresh from a spectacular 2025 campaign with the Potsdam Royals where he led the entire GFL with 14.5 sacks during the regular season while adding 48 tackles. His efforts earned him First Team All-GFL honors and helped power the Royals to a German Bowl championship, establishing him as one of Europe’s most feared pass rushers.
College production at rocky mountain
Before his professional success, Hurst developed at Rocky Mountain College where he played in 32 games over four seasons. He recorded 76 tackles, 19 sacks, and 32.5 tackles for loss during his collegiate career2, earning Second Team All-Frontier Conference honors in his final season while demonstrating the pass-rush skills that would translate to his professional success.
A versatile athletic talent
The 6’1″, 220-pound 23-year-old brings rare athleticism to the Roosters’ defense. He ran a verified 4.59 laser 40-yard dash in 2023 and possesses the versatility to drop into coverage if needed. His combination of speed, bend, and technical handwork makes him a nightmare matchup for offensive tackles as Helsinki looks to bolster its pass rush for the 2026 title chase.
