Helsinki IFK, which won the women’s Finnish ice hockey championship in two springs, will be significantly reformed for next season. For example, three recent World Cup bronze medalists are moving abroad.
Helsinki IFK, which won the two previous championships of the Ice Hockey Women’s League, has undergone major changes. No fewer than nine players from the champion team are changing scenery.
The head coach Saara Niemelle the high turnover of players at the end of a great season was not a surprise at all. Although saying goodbye after years of cooperation is wistful, Niemi sees the situation as positive.
– I feel that the Women’s League is a breeder’s league and we are a breeder’s club, even though we have been very successful. You have to dare to let the players go and give them new opportunities. It then gives us the opportunity to raise our own young players up, says Niemi.
Niemi has served as HIFK’s head coach during the entire six-year journey of the representative team. Niemi considers the development of players to be a key goal, and the transfer of players abroad is proof that the goal has been achieved.
At the moment, the main league in Switzerland attracts tough players. According to Niemi, one of the reasons for that is that the Swiss hockey organizations are financially strong, and female hockey players also receive quite a good salary there. The Czech striker, among others, will be heading there next season Michaela Pejzlova and the Frenchman who was chosen as the most valuable player of the spring playoffs Clara Rozier.
– The level of the Swiss league is rising. I see that it is a series of the future, says Niemi.
All three recent World Cup bronze medalists are leaving HIFK to go abroad. Julia Liikalan career continues in Switzerland, Sanni Vanhanen in Sweden and Siiri Yrjölän in the US University Series.
According to Nieme, captain Karoliina Rantamäki, 46, is ending his major league career, but will continue his life’s work in hockey. Even in March, after the Finnish championship was decided, Rantamäki assured that his career will still continue.
Rantamäki, who played professionally abroad for a long time, won ten prestigious medals and numerous Finnish championships. In recent years, in addition to his playing career, he has worked in the hockey players’ association and in coaching positions.
– “Karo” returns to hockey. We have enticed him to stay at IFK. Let’s see how long it takes to get him on our player path for coaching. He would have a lot to give, says Niemi.
Niemi just signed a two-year extension contract with HIFK. The starting points for the new season are different than in the previous couple of years. According to Niemi, the organization is now more ready than a few years ago to accept, for example, a large turnover.
– We will have a couple of new players on the field from our own club and from other parts of the Women’s League. I still don’t see that there will be any big differences to our weekly work so far. Let’s build the base and the tactical side a little more moderately, and increase playing courage and skating power.
– Many in the team are excited that their own role is growing and that our previous three and four court will get a bigger role, Niemi says.