The main factor in Jukka Peltola’s decision to close was a head injury in the autumn.
I’m killing my followers Jukka Peltola ends his handsome player career. Peltola, 34, played his entire league career in Tappara. It held 634 regular season and 136 playoff games. Peltola won three Finnish Championship golds, four silver medals and one bronze medal in Tappara. Seasons 2018–19 and 2019–20 Peltola played at KHL in Novosibirsk, Sibir.
His career ended in his third Finnish Championship gold this spring. The big factor in the termination decision was a head injury that came in the fall in the second league game of the season.
– After that, for seven weeks, I collected myself from quite deep waters. There were worries about my own health as to whether this was still going well. With the help of doctors and rehabilitators, I dared to return to the field, but yes, it stopped thinking, Peltola told Sports.
– It started to feel like that when I got so much from hockey, I don’t want hockey to take anything away. The health of the decision I made above, but anyway, it started to feel like it’s time for other patterns.
Now Peltola has fully recovered from this.
Peltola has been playing in the Finnish Championship League in Tappara since the age of 19, but actually rose to the national top at a later age.
– I am grateful to Tappara for being able to build a career in peace with long-term work, there was no rush to anything. I was the type of player that needed time. I learned the game a little differently and was then able to play a reliable two-way game.
Peltola’s example proves that you don’t have to be a superplayer at the age of 18.
– Nowadays, it feels like sooner and earlier we are talking about who will be the top player. KooVee provided a good place to develop. I got to play more and that’s how I got to Tappara in B-juniors. Without KooVee’s visit there would be no point, Peltola repeated his junior times.
– No junior should think that this was here now. Big divisions will only be made much later.
“It was a great feeling when everything clicked into place”
In his league career, Peltola managed to win one bronze and three silver before his first championship, which came in 2016. Silver medals were an important step towards gold.
– Even if you’re close, you’re far away. They were educational experiences, perhaps wanting too much profit. It was a great feeling when everyone clicked in place and got their first gold.
The World Championships start today in Tampere’s new arena. Upon request, Peltola will pick up a couple of players from Leijon that are worth watching.
– Harri Säteri the paint itself has certainty. He has an interesting season behind him. First in Russia, then in the Olympics and then in the NHL. He is the last lock you can trust anywhere.
– Mikko Lehtonen On the spot. From his own end onwards, how skateful and skillful a player he is. When self-confidence is in place, it is difficult to stop him.
Peltola has received a lot of messages from hockey people and those following the sport after announcing his quit.
– It has been great to see that there have been so many messages. Many people want to thank for the long journey that is printed here. I myself owe a debt of gratitude to many people.