Jokerit aims to get promoted to the SM league only for the 2025–2026 season, although according to recent news, you can apply for a license to the SM league already for the next season. The chairman of Kiekko-Espoo did not directly tell about the club’s plans.
The SM League announced on Wednesday that you can still apply for SM League licenses for the next season. The news was a surprise turn, as the SM league had previously announced that a league license cannot be applied for the 2024–25 season.
Chairman of the Jokers Mikko Saarni said that the SC league announcement came as a surprise to the club.
– We had no prior knowledge of this matter. We heard about it today.
Jokerit currently plays at Finland’s second highest league level in Mestis. In addition to the jokers, last season’s Mestis champion Kiekko-Espoo’s league plans have also been talked about a lot in public.
Next season’s league licenses must be applied for by October 31, so clubs interested in the SM league will be in a hurry.
Jokerit does not intend to apply for a license on a fast schedule, but trusts its original plan.
– Our goal is to be a SM league-ready team in the 2025–2026 season. At least at this point, we see no reason to rush or change it. Let’s go according to the plan that has been told, says Mikko Saarni.
So you are not applying for a license for next season?
– At least at the moment there is no purpose. Let’s stick with the original plan and believe it will bear fruit.
In any case, the news was received with joy in the Jokerit camp.
– I think it’s great that the SM league is thinking about its own product and brand. This is where you have to think about what is in the interest of Finnish ice hockey and the players, and this is certainly a step in the right direction.
The SM league decided to keep the series closed in the summer, but Kiekko-Espoo was supposed to apply for a SM league license for the 2024–2025 season as early as the beginning of June.
Chairman of the Espoo club Amy Rubinstein put his words carefully when asked him if Kiekko-Espoo still plans to apply for a license for next season.
– The only comment I have given to the questioners is that when the League’s decision was commented on for the first time in June, it was said that hopefully this decision is not final and that we have the opportunity to apply.
For a long time in Finnish rinks
Jokerit returned to Finnish rinks after years in the KHL this fall, when they started second at the highest league level in Mestis.
The team’s performances have aroused great interest and its matches have gathered huge audiences in the ice rinks of Kerava and Helsinki.
Jokerit has opened its season by winning four of its five matches. The team is fourth in the standings.
Updated at 12:13: Comment from Kiekko-Espoo chairman added.