Joker’s wooden man Jarmo Koskinen under the management, the leaders of the new background company went to discuss with the city management of Kerava about the possibility of playing the Helsinki club’s home games in the city.
– At the point when we no longer believed in Ilmalan-Areena’s rebirth, as it were, we scanned the possibility of playing in several towns in the capital region. The Ice Hockey Federation didn’t really like the idea. Then we noticed that Kerava was very positive about this if we brought the home hall there, Koskinen explains to Urheilu.
At Kerava, the Jokerit project was immediately received with enthusiasm and excellent cooperation.
– Actually, there was really only one bend in the journey, which was also handled well. It was about us (the Jokers) pushing other ice users out of the hall. Fortunately, they found replacement ways, when the other ice sports clubs in the area were flexible about the matter.
– You can say that Kerava saves our Mestis start. There would have been no opportunities for the Helsinki and Espoo halls due to the program calendars. In fact, we might have had another option in the direction of Kirkkonummi. We didn’t take this any further when Kerava, which has a bigger capacity, went along with this.
Jokerit travels in the style of the big world by bus to Kerava
The home arena for the Jokers in the Mestis season 2023–24 is the Kerava Ice Hall, which has a capacity of around 1,500 spectators. There is a safety trough required for the Mestis license in the hall.
– This amount will be specified when we discuss matters with the rescue authorities. Before, there was a capacity of 2,000, but benches have since been brought there, which reduces the number of spectators, says Koskinen.
Koskinen emphasizes that Helsinki is the home town of the Jokers, and it is only a one-year exception.
– You can only play away from your home town for one year because of the hall difficulties and their renovations.
The Joker’s background character also thanks the Helsinki ice rink foundation for the opportunity to have a few games in the Helsinki Ice Hall, HIFK’s home hall, within the framework of the strict program calendar.
Only when the series program is drawn up will it become clear how many matches Jokerit will be able to play with “Nordis”. The goal at this stage is from four to ten. Last year, the series program of the SM league was announced on June 16.
An ice sports center is being completed in Herttoniemi, where Jokerit will be able to centralize the training center.
– The idea is that we go by bus to play home games in Kerava, as if away games. This is perhaps a bit far-fetched, but even in the NHL, not many teams play and train in the same place. They also go (by bus) together to the games in their hometown, reminds Koskinen.
“It doesn’t matter at all that I’m Sherwood guys”
Jokers supporters’ association Old Chiefs frontman Pasi “Pave” Mähönen says that it doesn’t matter at all that Kerava will be the home of the team for one year in the future.
– It doesn’t bother me personally when I’m from Sherwood and my passport says Kerava as my place of birth. Let’s put Teddy & The Tigers on, no problem here. Let’s rise from the bottom and see where everything takes the Jokers again.
– The most important thing is that the team was saved. Then let’s play on the outdoor ice. Kerava is a challenging place when it can only accommodate 1500 spectators. A small hall that is sure to be packed every game. At least there is a great atmosphere, tastes “Pave”.
Mähönen reminds that Jokerit had to start anew from the beginning of January with a very busy schedule.
– All possible stones have been turned, and we still got to this point. It warmed me a lot that Mestis and the Ice Hockey Federation wanted the Jokers back – hopefully maybe elsewhere in Finland.
– This is a day of joy. The year has been a crazy time and somehow it feels like no one but the Jokers can do this. A well-known Jokeri fan describes his mood through difficulties to victory, feeling relieved.