Helsinki IFK made hard recruitments – among them is a golden nugget who can lead the Stadion team to the championship

Helsinki IFK made hard recruitments among them is a

HIFK will announce its recent acquisitions on Monday. I think the fans will be excited when they hear the names, writes journalist Jussi Paasi.

In the last SM league season, it seemed for a long time that HIFK was going from crisis to crisis. Until the turn of the year, everything went more or less wrong in the Nordenskiöldinkatu hall.

In the spring, the direction changed, but IFK could not properly challenge the future champion Tappara in the semi-finals.

It seems that it was decided during the summer at the office of the players that the head coach will be the next season Ville Peltonen gets his hands on a team that won’t collapse due to lack of experience at least.

HIFK will announce its recent acquisitions on Monday. I think the fans will gasp when they hear the names. However, some of them have already leaked to the public.

Let’s do a little news review.

Evening newspaper told in Marchthat Sami Lepistö negotiates with IFK. According to Urheilu, the parties have reached an agreement.

Lepistö, 38, has a long career behind him in both the NHL and the KHL. The defender who won Olympic bronze and World Championship gold played last season in Switzerland, but now wanted to return to Finland and specifically to IFK. According to ‘s sources, the first contact came from the player’s side.

According to ‘s information, IFK has also hired experience between the posts. Tomi Karhunen next season will block pucks in a red hat. Karhunen is a familiar man to the club. He stayed at IFK last season with a short luck gig.

HIFK has not – at least not yet – been able to catch a single big wave. The club has held negotiations Leo Komarov with, but as I write this comment, no names have been scratched on the contract paper.

Komarov, 36, was close to joining IFK already last spring, but the sharp power forward finally chose Lulea, Sweden as his address.

So it will not be a surprise if Komarov’s name is soon to be found in the Nordis dressing room. He is also attracted to the stadium by the opportunity to play together with his brother. Oskar Komarov plays in IFK’s U20 team.

Returnee Joonas Raskin, 33, the contract was published by IFK a month ago. The athletic director also underlines the recruitment of Rask Tobias Salmelainen line: now we buy experience and routine.

As a counterweight to the overflowing experience, HIFK already captured a junior diamond from Turku. Evening News reported in March defender Aron Kiviharjun, 17, transfer. Kiviharju is one of the biggest talents in his age group in the whole world.

And then we get to the golden nugget mentioned in the title. His name is Jori Lehterä. IL had time to scoop up transfer in January.

I discussed Lehterä’s transfer some time ago with a well-known Finnish player who has gained fame in the NHL as well. He told why Lehterä is a game-changing player for HIFK. And summed up his thoughts in four words.

– “Jorsti” puts the booth in order.

Lehterä, 35, is still the elite of the SM league measured by all game-like metrics. He proved that last season in Tappara’s shirt. But Lehterä’s importance also extends beyond the rink.

IFK has been missing its own lassekukkonen or jessejoensuu for the past few seasons. A locker room manager who doesn’t watch his shoulders slump when times are tough. A strong figure who shows by example what it takes to be successful.

The importance of one such player can be revolutionary for the whole club. A great example of that was given by the Ässie captain who returned to Pori last season Jesse Joensuu.

Without leader Joensuu Ässi, the source of a new rise would still be sought.

All honor to Lepistö and Karhuse. They too will certainly be essential pieces in next season’s team, but Lehterä is by far the most important recruit in HIFK’s recent history.

Thanks to Lehterä, HIFK can already be counted among next season’s champion favorites without worry.

You can discuss the topic until Monday evening, June 5. until 11 p.m. You need a ID to comment.

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