Jerry Turkulainen cleaned the SM league prize table and left for Levi. JYP’s bright spot tells how the club’s turbulence felt and what he himself relied on.
Micke Suopuro,
Simo Leinonen
JYP 100 years – 1923–2023.
JYP’s festive season hockey men’s SM league was supposed to be just as joyful, but at the end of it, a slogan tailored for hum would be better suited to a tombstone.
No one was surprised anymore when the club announced on Wednesday sports director Mikko Viitanen resigned.
Main player Severi Lahtinen a verdict, shocking head coach firings, an unfathomable losing streak, a change of captain and a star defender Sami Nikun leaving – in it condensed a cry that could not have been scripted.
It should have been recorded.
– It would have been quite a documentary if the cameras had been rolling. This was a tough season. This will teach you, if you have to experience something similar again, the attacker Jerry Turkulainen ponders.
As a stimulus, points and standings
The native of Turku was one of JYP’s few bright spots. Both teammates and hockey journalists chose Turkulainen as the best player of the season. The prizes are warming, even though the victory of the point exchange was just one point away.
– Feeling really taken. The award voted by the players is especially heartwarming. Losing the profit on the points exchange is of course a little sad, but it wasn’t enough, says Turkulainen, who summed up the powers 21+42=63.
There were three JYP players among the top eight scorers in the SM league, when Reid Gardiner laid 24 and Juuso Puustinen 23 hits. The winner of the defenders’ point exchange, Sami Niku, scored 37 of his 49 power points in JYP’s shirt.
As you might expect from the astonishing numbers, JYP didn’t even get close to the playoffs.
– Our field was good and the superiority worked, even though it hurt and happened around. The chain stayed together practically throughout the season. We tried to focus on our own work and forget everything else, Turkulainen describes.
Turkulainen, Puustinen and Jere Lassila so they supported each other, and that’s fine.
– Focusing on your own game is the safest way. When you invest everything in making sure things don’t get caught up in your chain and playing, there’s nothing left to worry about, Turkulainen reminds.
From Levi to Leijon?
The man from Turku can at least expect to be invited to the World Cup camp of the Lions. Jukka Jalonen hardly ignore a league player with more than 60 points, especially when Ilves won the point exchange Oula Palveen the season will continue for a long time.
– If the invitation comes, I will definitely join. Not two words, Turkulainen acknowledges.
Next season, the Turku resident will leave Finland and move to Switzerland, if the new club Ajoie stays in the country’s top league. In Switzerland, Turku would be able to play at least away games in alpine scenery.
They will have to wait. Finnish Lapland and Levi are perfect, because the team’s season-ending trip is an important rite and often necessary.
Especially now.
– Let’s take it easy and be in the group for the last time. Everyone always leaves a mark in their own way. It is important to enjoy that time together, Turkulainen emphasizes.
A golden helmet (chosen by players):
Jerry Turkulainen, JYP
Silver skate (best special situation team):
Jukurs
Matti Keinonen award (power exchange winner):
Filip Kral, Pelicans
Aarne Honkavaara award (winner of the goal exchange):
Teemu Turunen, Kärpät
Veli-Pekka Ketola award (point exchange winner):
Oula Palve, Ilves
Lasse Oksanen award (winner of the hockey journalists’ vote):
Jerry Turkulainen, JYP
At the end of the season, the best defender, the best goalkeeper, the gentleman’s player, the best coach, the best referee, the best linesman and the All Stars player of the season will be named.