Jukka Rautakorvi’s kicks are difficult to understand from a sporting perspective, writes Urheilu’s editor Simo Arkko.
Simo Arkkourheilhu journalist
JYP surprised the ice hockey fans with a real deed on Wednesday, when it was told by the head coach Jukka Rautakorvin and Ville Nieminen on the termination of contracts.
The club justified the decision with game-related issues. JYP stated that its strategic goal is to develop a sustainable and modern sporting competitive advantage for the club. Key issues of the ideology include creativity, courage to play and positivity.
Sports Director Mikko Viitanen reasoned that Rautakorpi managed to drive in the level of physical requirements, but in other areas of the game the pace of development was not enough to meet the club’s goals.
It’s hard to buy the talk of JYP’s press release. Although JYP has lacked a classic number one center, it has played really entertaining and creative puck at its best.
The three-year project also seemed to be well underway. JYP is sixth in the series in terms of point average. Supremacy is the best of the series.
Jerry Turkulainen and Sami Niku statuary at the top of the point exchange, and Reid Gardiner too very high.
Now the Rautakorpi was put in the yard after only one and a half seasons.
From the outside, the decision looks like it almost has to be about personal chemistry in the background. From a sporting and game point of view, the decision is really difficult to understand.
The decision partly speaks harsh language about the culture of the SM league. Longevity shines in its absence when the athletic director or board throws the head coach out after a short period. Only the head coach pays for failures at his workplace.
Fortunately, there are exceptions. Pelicans and head coach Tommi Niemelän the beginning was very sticky, but at the moment the team is in third place in the ten and twenty match fitness scale.
Tuesday’s victory over Ässi brings its own spice to the end. CEO before the match Risto Korpela bloomed with a warm smile on the occasion of Jukka Rautakorvin’s 60th birthday.
Today the smile froze. The flowers changed to twigs.