Häme Sanomat reported on Tuesday eveningthat Antti Pennanen is the next head coach of the Lions. According to Hämee Sanomi, the choice is to be finalized on Thursday at the meeting of the federal government.
Pennanen follows From Jukka Jalowho has previously announced that he will retire as the head coach of the Lions after this season.
Pennanen is currently coaching Tampere Ilve in the SM league. He coached HPK to the championship in spring 2019. Before that, Pennanen coached Jukurit Mestis to the championship in 2015 and 2016.
Pennase, 44, also already has experience at the national team level. He was an assistant coach in the Junior Lions World Cup gold team in 2016 and an assistant coach in the Lions World Cup gold team in 2019.
As the head coach of the Young Lions, Pennanen piloted Finland to the World Championship bronze in 2021 and World Championship silver in 2022.
‘s hockey experts Top Nättinen and Ismo Lehkonen answer the hot questions about Pennanen’s ascension to the head coach of Leijoni.
What kind of head coach will the Lions get?
Topi Nättinen considers Penna to be one of the best Finnish coaches at the moment.
– Antti Pennanen’s path has been very clear. He has shown at club team and national team level that he can coach. Above all, Pennanen has shown that he can win and lead players. I would think that Pennanen is the best option for this situation, says Nättinen.
Nättinen describes Penna as a coach who is very close to the players.
Ismo Lehkonen on the other hand, considers Penna to be a passionate hockey student.
According to Lehkonen, Pennanen has progressed one step at a time from HPK’s junior coaching pipeline, first to Mestis and then to the SM league. Lehkonen reminds that even as Jukurie’s head coach Pennanen was under pressure, when in Mikkeli only Mesti’s championship was valid.
Now there is a new pressure situation ahead.
– Pennanen finds himself in a tough spot. There will undoubtedly be a generational change in our A national team, Lehkonen reminds.
What does Pennanen bring to Leijon?
– It would be silly if Jukka Jalonen’s tradition was completely lost. Finnish ice hockey has found a recipe for success under Jukka Jalonen. Now the generation is changing. They have grown into the framework of our game. The new coach will certainly bring changes and he must also bring them. However, Pennanen’s hockey is certainly very close to Jalos’s hockey. Pennanen has also watched Jalos very closely as a coach, Topi Nättinen describes.
Ismo Lehkonen however, he speculates that with the change of generation, Pennanen may also have to make changes to his playing.
– If the opposite side starts to have stronger teams in terms of material, will Pennanen have to adjust his playing according to the opponent? It wouldn’t be exactly the same playing from game to game as Jukka Jalose has had. Let’s talk about our game. There is a certain kind of rhythm, defensive play and offensive play. Whoever the opponent is.
– The future will show how Pennanen will have to adjust the way the Lions play. After all, nothing else is good for the Finnish people other than the championship.
Lehkonen believes that Pennanen also currently sees the big picture in hockey.
– Pennanen is a smart guy who understands that hockey moves forward at a fast pace. He will try to find new advantages compared to other countries. Pennane even has the courage to try, Lehkonen reflects.
What’s the situation like for Ilves?
Pennase has a contract with Ilves until 2025, i.e. until next spring.
What kind of situation is this for Ilves, when Pennanen was brought in as head coach in the middle of last season and now he is leaving Tampere as if in the middle of a project?
– A big blow for Ilves for sure. Of course, Ilves must have had some idea when they recruited Antti Penna. At least it is hoped that the professional organization has understood that Pennanen is one of the hottest names to be the head coach of the A national team, Topi Nättinen says and believes that Ilves has had a backup plan in case of Pennanen’s departure.
– Of course, no club wants the head coach brought in with big money and high expectations of success to leave. The players have also been hired with the idea that Pennanen would continue. But it’s top sport. Surely this is also an opportunity for Ilves. You can regret and complain about this, but there will be rapid changes in the world of sports.
Ismo Lehkonen is on the same lines as Nättinen.
– If you are asked to become the head coach of the A national team, should you refuse? That question will probably never come up again. According to my logic, all Finnish club teams must be understanding. If such an opportunity arises, one must be able to be flexible about contractual matters, Lehkonen states.