Jyrki Aho is the head coach of Kiekko-Espoo’s future league team.
Joel Sippola,
Jussi Saarinen
Kiekko-Espo was granted a conditional league license for next season on Wednesday. Kiekko-Espoo announced at its press conference on Thursday that the team’s head coach next season is Jyrki Aho.
The experienced league coach piloted JYP to the Finnish champion in the 2011–2012 season.
Aho is already a familiar name to the people of Espoo, as he was the head coach of Espoo Blues in 2013–2016. The 2015–2016 season was the Blues’ last.
Sports Director By Kim Hirschovits according to Kiekko-Espoo, Aho was the best possible option for the position of head coach.
– We quickly reached a common understanding with Jyrki about the value base we have. We are very happy that we got a coach of this level to bring expertise to us, commented Hirschovits at the press conference.
Aho has also worked at the league level as the head coach of Pori Ässie. At the press conference, he gave value to all the people who have worked for the Kiekko-Espoo league project.
– We had the same world of values with Kim. In today’s hockey, the biggest thing for me is that people’s values meet. These are by far the most overwhelming reasons why I am starting this game.
– I also want to help Finnish players. There is a desire to pass on one’s own learning. It’s been a great opportunity to see the puck in different places, which is a blessing.
Not just to participate in the League
Kiekko-Espoo’s license application still needs a blessing at the League’s general meeting. The club has been building the foundations of its league project since 2018.
– You have to do a lot of work to achieve your dreams. When there are difficult bumps, you shouldn’t lie down in them, but find ways to overcome them, says Hirschovits.
Hirschovits describes the ice hockey culture in Espoo as a workaholic, where you don’t give up.
– When Kiekko-Espoo is on the ice, it is not unclear that there is feeling and caring involved.
Hirschovits states that Kiekko-Espoo does not just aim to participate in the League. We are slowly trying to increase the player budget accordingly.
Extensive player material
If all the pieces fall into place, Aho will be the head coach of Kiekko-Espo next season. Five seasons have already passed since Aho’s previous head coaching job in the League.
He has coached in France and Austria in recent years. Aho feels that he is much more experienced as a coach than during his previous visit to Liiga.
– I think about things differently. My thinking pattern has changed in a spiritual direction, says Aho.
According to Aho, they have some kind of vision in Kiekko-Espoo of what kind of team the club would assemble in the League.
– There are young players and players in their prime. There is also experience and, above all, players from Espoo. It means a lot more to a player who grew up in Espoo than to a puck warrior who only does it for the salary.
Espoon Blues, who reached the SM league final twice in the 2000s, are remembered for their hard junior production. It was a pioneer in that field.
Aho says that there is still extensive player material in Espoo.
– The mass is insane. If you compare different locations, the competition is tougher in the capital region. Pearls can be found in different ways.