HIFK’s head coach Saara Niemi hopes the men’s League will help in raising the profile of the women’s league level. The coaches do not believe that Naisleijoni’s bottom quotation will be reflected in the new league season.
Riikka Smolander-Slotte,
Joel Sippola
The weak performances of the Finnish women’s national ice hockey team in the recently concluded World Cup tournament raised questions about the state of Finnish girls’ and women’s ice hockey. The women’s league is one of the biggest cornerstones of women’s hockey.
Urheilu asked three of the Liiga’s head coaches what state the main series is in. They told Kiekko-Espo their position Sami Haapanenof HIFK Saara Niemi and Kuortanen Mira Kuisma.
How do you see the level of the League?
Sami Haapanen
– We are in some kind of transition situation. Experienced players leave here for other places. I have a big concern about whether we can get players to grow into this league. There should be some way to get the stamp of a good youth league and get young players to enter.
Saara Niemi
– I see that this season there is a more even series than before. Kärki has gone abroad, but new young promises have come to replace him. I think there will be a steady twist this season.
Mira Kuisma
– I wish there were more older players, which would raise the level. Unfortunately, it has led to the fact that there are quite young players, which of course shows in the level. Physics and other things haven’t developed enough yet.
Players leave Finland for, for example, Sweden. What is the player path like? How could the players be better liked in Finland?
Sami Haapanen
– Do they feel that things are better there (Sweden). Is the reason due to financial issues or what? You have to ask the players. Of course, we are happy that if it is a better series and we get players there to grow. In that case, we have done something right.
– In some way, the players will probably disappear. Let’s just say that 12-18 year olds have a challenging gap. The series is really small. At that stage there will be big differences, and the really promising ones will quickly pass that stage. They are already in the league stage at 15, but if you are not ready then, there are challenges.
Saara Niemi
– Of course, it’s a great opportunity to be able to play abroad as a professional. We also need to support it. At the same time, however, you have to do really good work in the clubs in order to provide a good framework for playing domestic hockey. It only requires jobs and partners so that playing at the main league level would be free for everyone.
Mira Kuisma
– Our best players will definitely go abroad in search of better conditions. I don’t know if the level of the League affects it, but I think it’s because it’s more economical to play elsewhere. In some places, the player path is clear. We are still in a situation where there are not so many girls that a clear path could be built.
What should women in the League fix?
Sami Haapanen
– Young people must know how to give enough responsibility. Breakthroughs must be made for them.
Saara Niemi
– The ice hockey association and the clubs need to cooperate more. It would be great if the men’s League would also somehow help raise the profile of the women’s League.
Mira Kuisma
– First, it has to start with finding enthusiasts. Certainly more actors are needed at the grassroots level.
The World Championships went poorly for Naisleijon, when Finland was left out of the medal games. Does it or the discussion about it cause any distortion around the new league season?
Sami Haapanen
– The last two weeks have been a really hectic time to prepare for the series. I watched some games and followed the media discussion. Not all of them were necessarily good things for the species. However, it is other people who manage it.
Saara Niemi
– Of course, it was a big disappointment, but I see this as the beginning of something new. We have a new Olympics ahead of us.
Mira Kuisma
– For once, I have not returned to last week’s discussion. I hope that matter has been forgotten and it will be held in a smaller circle.
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