HIFK will start the recruitment process for a new sports director immediately.
Sakari Lund,
Inka Henelius
20:42•Updated 20:53
The long-time sports director of HIFK, which plays in the ice hockey SM league Tobias Salmelainen has resigned from his position. Salmelainen started as sports director in November 2017.
The success of HIFK, which belongs to the league’s big clubs and teams operating with the biggest budgets, has long been below expectations. Heading into this season, HIFK.’s player budget was the third largest of the league’s teams, 3.2 million euros.
The previous championship was from spring 2011. During Salmelainen’s time, HIFK has won two bronze medals. In the second season, HIFK was sixth, last season fourth and this season seventh. HIFK’s season ended in the quarterfinals, when Pelicans won the match series 4-3.
– As mentioned in the press release, changes are being made at HIFK and I felt that now is the right time to bring in new blood. Last season was quite a disappointment. This was certainly the right solution for all parties, Salmelainen tells Urheilu.
– It was not an easy decision. HIFK is a very dear club to me. I have given my whole soul, but the championship has not been won and there have been no places in the finals, so the disappointment has been severe. I’ve been marinating in a pressure cooker for six and a half years. I am ready for new challenges.
HIFK is a club where high expectations of success bring pressure.
– Such a certain compulsion to hunt for the championship has been quite strongly present. You have to know how to handle it better. There must be an understanding of how difficult it is, next season there are 15 other teams aiming for the same.
Salmelainen started in the demanding position as a young man.
– I am proud that I went into such a pressure cooker as a 32-year-old boy with zero experience. I knew I was strong and I would get through it. You have to understand that you can’t influence everything. Tolerating and accepting it marinates a person, Salmelainen analyzed.
Salmelainen is the father of a half-year-old son.
– Now it’s time to take the first summer vacation in ten years. The son and wife have earned one summer from their father and husband.
After the summer vacation, Salmelainen plans to apply for a job in hockey.
“The club is in a better state athletically”
Where does Salmelainen feel he has succeeded as a sports director?
– In many different areas. I have surprised myself how well I have been able to handle everything that comes with this. The club is in a better state athletically. It is most visible at the moment on our racing junior side. Thanks also go to the coaches and the people who work on a daily basis
It’s no surprise what’s left to dig the most.
– There was no championship, so you can’t level jump. You can always say that you should have succeeded better in acquiring players. Especially in the previous season, I was really disappointed in myself.
Also the head coach Ville Peltonen has received a lot of criticism, but at least he has still been able to stand his ground. Instead, Salmelainen has now left his position.
– I am a sports director, I have to bear responsibility, Salmelainen acknowledges.
HIFK announced that it will start the recruitment process for a new sports director immediately. How would Salmelainen deny his successor?
– You have to be ready to work. I would also say that there are very good people working in that organization.