Fortunately, demandingness no longer has to mean shouting, ranting and negativity, writes journalist Jussi Paasi.
The semi-finals of the SM league continue on Friday with the match Tappara–HIFK and on Saturday with the match Ilves–Pelicans. Puheen Jääkiekkierros both days from 4:45 p.m.
A smiling, good-natured and laughing hockey coach.
In years gone by, that would have been considered strange to say the least. After all, Koutsin is supposed to be a stern and harsh scumbag.
Unfortunately, many people still seem to think that frowning, stiffness and seriousness are what a hockey coach should represent. We’re serious here and not kidding, damn it!
Fortunately, we have Tommi Niemelä.
The head coach of the Pelicans smiles, laughs, exudes a good mood and positivity. Niemelä clearly enjoys every moment of his work.
He gives a face to modern hockey management.
And the beaming smile does not mean that Niemelä takes coaching lightly. Vice versa. He is an extremely demanding pilot. Fortunately, demandingness no longer has to mean shouting, ranting and negativity.
Niemelä has created an admirably positive atmosphere for Pelicans. He trusts his players one hundred percent. The players are given a lot of freedom – and thus are required to take responsibility for themselves and their teammates.
The trail has been deafening this season. The big surprise of the season is, as I write this comment, two wins away from the SM league finals.
The Pelicans are everything that the head coach’s unquenchable smile conveys. A brave, open-minded group bursting with positive team spirit, where everyone is allowed to be themselves.
It was with those aids that the people of Lahti have beaten the pre-favorite Ilves in the semi-final series. The way the Pelicans play as underdogs deserves a special hat-trick.
No slimy “bus parking robbery”, as Urheilu’s expert says Top Nättinen On the ice hockey tour he described. No overcautious and sleepy chess, no delayed departures, no fear! The Pelicans have permission to shine. How beautiful it is to look at.
One scene in the third semi-final fight told everything about the liberated feeling created by Niemelä.
TV cameras filmed the Pelicans bench. And what did you see there? Hero defender Teemu Eronen laughed really well. Why? Because Niemelä had just thrown a funny slap at him.
Topi Nättinen and Ilmari Pitkänen noticed the same moment in the Ice Hockey Tour. Former gamblers wondered if they had ever experienced something similar in their own careers. That means that the head coach came to mess with the player in the middle of the game, even at the tightest moment of the season.
Were not. That doesn’t happen.
Except in the Pelicans.
Smile. Laughter. Fun. Humor. Relaxation. Positivity.
Tell me one profession where they wouldn’t be useful.
So.
Inspiring and exemplary, Tommi Niemelä!
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The semi-finals of the SM league continue on Friday with the match Tappara–HIFK and on Saturday with the match Ilves–Pelicans. Puheen Jääkiekkierros both days from 4:45 p.m.