Final judgment Lauri Korpikoski38, came from the home front to a long and successful career. The striker from Turku, who played more than 600 games in the NHL, had returned to his home club, but drifted into a cycle of injuries and later disputes with TPS. The career ended quietly in the spring of 2023.
The last match of Korpikoski’s career was the February home match against SaiPa in February 2023, although the player had not made an official retirement announcement until today.
– When there started to be injuries and other things in the final stages, finally the little girl at home announced that the father will no longer go there, Korpikoski laughs to Urheilu about a year and a half after the last match.
– The view was that we are pushing too much. Then I had to respect my daughter’s decision, Korpikoski continues, referring to her 6-year-old daughter.
Seriously speaking, the last years of Korpikoski’s career in Turku were filled with severe turbulence and drama. At the age of 32, the TPS breeder had other options, but the blood drew him home. The winger signed an exceptionally long and lucrative contract with TPS for the years 2018–2024.
– I felt it was more important to search for meaningful games in Turku than to go as a mercenary to, for example, Europe. I was only 32 years old and I knew that I could still be a very good player in the League.
Bad luck
However, Korpikoski did not get a movie ending to his long and great career.
The veteran player named team captain’s return to Turku could not have started worse. First, an intestinal disease struck, and then a heart myocarditis that required hospital treatment.
In the first season, the account accumulated only seven games, including the playoffs. In the following seasons, Korpikoski scored 50 (21+29) points in 56 matches, but his hip had begun to bother him. In January 2021, the player underwent hip surgery, and TPS announced that the player’s season was over.
– There was an infinite amount of bad luck in the beginning. It set me on quite a journey back. When you think about the state I was in for a year and think about how far it is to go back, I would have been able to help a lot more without health concerns. If something has been stuck in a tooth cavity, maybe this is it, Korpikoski said.
There was more drama to come. After recovering from the surgery, the player would have liked to join the team that fought in the playoffs, but the club did not take the matter positively. No, although it is known that some of the players hoped for his return to the final series of the corona season against Lukko. Korpkoski was put to practice with the A-juniors.
The following summer, Korpikoski returned to TPS training, but soon took another sick leave. There was an open dispute about the player’s status and rights in the club. Korpikoski was no longer involved in the active activities of TPS and eventually he was sent on loan to Switzerland, where he brought home a concussion.
– Because of the difficult start, it became an impossible place for both, the club and me, but I don’t want to go back to it anymore.
Korpikoski returned to TPS for the 2022–2023 season, but was unable to play the last season of his contract and ended his career. According to Korpikoski, the links to the breeders’ club are practical these days.
– There is no greater radio silence there. At least for my own part, there were some real gaps. I’m not the type to be bitter about things like this. The owners played a big role in me coming back. I hope that their vision of what that club could be is strengthened and realized.
– There, the owner has put quite a lot of their own money into the company. Without them, that club might not exist anymore. That’s why he hopes that their visions will be realized even more widely, says Korpikoski.
For a new career
After ending his playing career, Korpikoski did not intend to stay at home and take a break from the sport. The Turku native’s interest in moving to other activities in the NHL club had already been asked at the end of his playing career, but the matter only became concrete when the skates were finally nailed. In the end, the Montreal Canadiens hired Korpikoski with the title of player development coach, in which position he is now working for the first year.
In practice, Korpikoski’s task is to work with players booked by Montreal in Europe. Right now, the Canadiens have three reservations in Sweden, one in Switzerland and one in Finland. Two of these are Finns: just returned to Sweden Oliver Kapanen and TPS Aatos Koivu.
When Korpikoski answers the phone from Turku, he is just making a report on the weekend’s EHT tournament for the club.
– In addition to my own work, I also do some pro scouting (player observation).
Korpikoski says the job is to support young players.
– This is more about following. Let’s focus on smaller things and maybe things off the ice. There is a limit to tactical matters, you have to be quite careful. We don’t go there to brag, because every team has its own ways of playing and coaches. We ask questions and get to know the player and of course my job is to know exactly where to go if the organization asks.
It’s nice to be able to use the things you’ve learned yourself from Korpikoski. According to Korpikoski, he himself would certainly have been helped when he was young, if there had been more activities in this direction for Europeans.
– If there is any information that has been left behind, I can share it. This is still quite new, and not all clubs have this kind of coaching yet.
“That’s the best thing”
Korpikoski has no clear goals for his career path after his playing career. The new player in the legendary NHL club inspires and inspires, but Korpikoski, who won the Swiss championship and Olympic bronze medal (2014) in his playing career, does not exclude the idea of working for a SM league club, for example.
– At this point, I’m definitely not saying no to something like that. Of course, it would be a discussion of its own, what could be included in a duuni league club. I’m sure you’d find interesting things, but I’ve got my hands full with this dune right now, Korpikoski laughs.
Could a return to TPS be possible after all?
– I don’t know. Those are the kinds of jobs that are asked about. I see that whatever that role is, you don’t force yourself into it like that. We usually ask if there is a willingness. I haven’t really thought about it.
Korpikoski has fallen to his feet after the turbulence he encountered at the end of his playing career. Adapting to everyday life after a playing career has been slowed down by the understanding of the reasons for quitting – injuries made playing impossible.
Now, along with traveling after the players in Switzerland and Sweden and preparing reports, the days are filled with following the growth of the 6-year-old daughter.
– It’s the best, Korpikoski laughs.
According to him, the support received from the family has been invaluable.
– The fact that I can practice my profession requires a lot of sacrifices from others.
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