If a change of power does not take place in the SM league boss ladder, according to ‘s information, the players’ association will step up next, writes Jussi Paasi.
Jussi Paasi Sports reporter
– It’s about a few weeks at the most.
That’s how my reliable source of information described the president of the SM league Heikki Hiltunen stifle position.
The same message was told to Urheilu from several directions. We want to get rid of Hiltus.
– There is now a full rebellion going on in the league, was the opinion of another source.
The president of the men’s main league of ice hockey has angered the major clubs of the SM league with his actions, who, led by their own experts, have investigated the operations of the SM league captained by Hiltusen.
The criteria required for promotion to the SM league are against the law, according to the unanimous assessment of the experts. The keywords are activities that violate competition law and the limitation of the Limited Liability Companies Act.
They are the first to report on the inflamed situation Häme Sanomat and on Saturday Evening newspaper. According to the news, the clubs questioning the series system and the license system sent a letter to the SM League under Tappara’s leadership on Friday.
According to Urheilu’s sources, at least six league clubs are now on the same front questioning Hiltusen’s and the SM league’s recent policies.
The other day I wrote about the cheeky and unjustified price of the league share and Hiltusen’s dual role that raises questions. Hiltunen is therefore involved in defining the new price of the SM league share, from which the club he represents, Vaasan Sport, can benefit significantly.
The chairman’s alley-oop seems desperate. The big clubs have been dissatisfied with the management of the SM League for a long time. The most influential clubs include Tappara, HIFK, Ilves, TPS and Kärpät. And the criticism has now also been joined by medium-sized clubs.
One mug still unused
Insiders believe that the resistance to Hiltu and the SM League will inevitably lead to at least a change of chairman. The weight of the big clubs is so significant.
In addition to the licensing conditions and the confusingly high price of the league stock, the big clubs are also bothered by the excessive number of teams in the SM league. The fact that, according to the opinion of the big clubs, the teams that raise the brand value of the series and bring the necessary financial areas should also be added to the SM league is also a cause for concern.
According to sources, at least HIFK, Tappara and TPS stand solidly behind the teams that are now reaching the SM league, i.e. Jokeri, Kiekko-Espoo and TuTo.
If the change of power does not happen in the League’s boss ladder, according to ‘s information, the players’ association will step up next.
SJRY, i.e. Finnish Ice Hockey Association, has already contacted the league clubs earlier this week. The players’ advocacy organization has asked the team’s contact players what the clubs think about the discussion related to the series system and what should be done about it.
If the players have to intervene in the situation and send a motion of no confidence to the SM league, the change of power is practically sealed.
Hiltunen should now whistle the game for his part and move to the side. This is the future of the entire SM league.