Manner, usually an assistant coach in the national team, has to replace the successful Jukka Jalonen, who will have knee surgery.
— I think it’s going well. It is motivating for everyone to get some new roles in the team, says Jalonen to Swedish EPN.
It will be an SHL-branded squad as Finland has brought in ten players from the Swedish league. Of them, it will be the debut for Växjö’s forward Kalle Kossila, 29 years old.
Oskarshamn’s successful forward Antti Suomela, who leads the SHL’s scoring with 24 goals and 47 points in 34 games, is also included. His chain mate Ahti Oksanen is also selected in Finland’s squad.
Finland starts with an away match against Switzerland in Zurich, the remaining matches in the tournament, which are decided on 9–12 February, are played in Malmö.