“I’m sure the pattern will change”

The Helsinki Jokers, who left KHL in the Hockey League, have expressed their desire to return to the Finnish Championship League for the period 2023–24. League chairman Heikki Hiltunen told Urheilu that official discussions have not yet opened, but the league clubs have had a positive attitude towards the return of the Jokers.

However, returning to the league is not an over-the-counter thing, as Hiltunen lists several concrete things that the club must be in order before obtaining a league license.

The ownership and financing of the jokers must be clear. Who or what owns the club, whether the background funding is in order, what are the articles of association and decision-making power.

The club must find solvency for the league share. Hiltunen reminds that commitment to the league is long-term, and quick withdrawal is not allowed. The management of the club must be able to lead the professional sports club and in addition the co-operation with the junior organization, in this case the Jokerit ry, must be in order.

The jokers must also be able to solve their condition problem, ie in which hall the team will play their match, because in the Ilmala hall it is not possible to play due to sanctions. In addition, the player lineup of a team must be tough enough for league games.

– If all these conditions are met, then the general meeting of the league can decide on a new shareholding, Hiltunen says.

Hiltunen believes that changes in the Joker’s ownership patterns will take place in the near future.

– I am quite sure that this pattern will change in the coming weeks. Those who will actually be negotiating the Finnish Championship League and deciding on the functions and administration of the Jokers will certainly be clear in the coming weeks and months. Then we can discuss who we are negotiating with, Hiltunen says.

According to Hiltunen, the league does not have the requirement to require that clubs be owned by Finns. However, he recalls that ownership must be transparent, credible, and “appropriate to this geopolitical situation,” which will withstand all aspects of daylight and debate.

The possible entry of the jokers into the league has provoked debate and criticism as to why a bypass is being built for the Helsinki team in a closed series. Hiltunen reminds that the league still has the opportunity to promote teams to the league in two ways by its own decision of the Annual General Meeting. One way is for teams that don’t play in the Hockey League series, and the other for Mestis teams that have been athletically successful in the series for several years.

– Even then, we assume that all of the above conditions will be met and fulfilled. With the same metrics, Mestis teams can apply for a league license today and thus join the process, Hiltunen says, and states that every team applying for a league license must be found to be athletically competitive.

– Not every team can march in now.

According to Hiltunen, the return of the Jokers to the Finnish Championships would increase the attractiveness of the series and provide an opportunity to increase the market value. The Jokers are of interest as a club and team in the metropolitan area, but also in the provinces.

Hiltunen hopes that the Jokerit will do their homework well so that it can meet the conditions of the league license. Currently, the Jokers have until the end of October to prove their league eligibility.

– I think they are doing a professional process and there will be a very strong, professional club involved in the process. Responsibility is currently in the Joker’s offices. In the Finnish Championships, we look forward to that official contact and through that to the start of discussions during the summer or autumn.